Middle Class Batman

Key Comics This Week [June 19, 2019)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a new weekly gimmick from MCB where we will give a preview of an upcoming Key Comics. A Key Comic is a comic where something special happens. A first appearance. A death. A first appearance of a death. The resurrection of someone who used to be dead (this week). An origin or whatever. Key Comics are sought after for their uniqueness. While they may not all hold value, they are important in the story line of that character or comic series.

This list may contain spoilers. This information is taken from solicitations and rumors. If it is rumor, I will redact the information, but if the information has already been spilled on the preview solicitations? That's on you.

The Key of the Week For June 19th, 2019

Guardians of the Galaxy #6

Why is this a key?

Well the Guardians and the Dark Guardians battle, but that ain't nothing. They battle all the time, buuut they also have to fight Hela and the Black Order!!! AND THAT'S NOT EVEN THE END OF IT!!

No, it's all out chaos, and just when the chaos is about to get worse, it gets even worser (I know). BECAUSE IT'S THE RESURRECTION OF THE MAD BY GAWD TITAN HISSELF - THANOS!!!!

During the Infinity Wars storyline, Thanos discovered the Infinity Stones were being collected once more and is all about getting his Infinity Gauntlet on. However, Requiem kills him pretty quick-like.

So now he's back.. From outer space. Thanos is going to walk in and find the Guardians here with a sad look up on their face.

Are you going to get this one? Someone coming back to life after they've been killed isn't a huge event, but they can be fun. Let us know below if you're going to try for this one.

Other Keys This Week

SHAZAM! (2018) #7 - There's a new Marvel Family Member!!!!

BATMAN: DAMNED #3 - FINAL ISSUE!!!

SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #1 - Its another Origin of Superman Story, but this time the Black imprint gimmick is attached (like in Batman: Damned). Its a 64 page part one of a three-part mini-series.

USAGI YOJIMBO #1 - The premiere issue of a new series that is written and illustrated by Stan Sakai, the creator of Usagi Yjimbo.

These are just a few of the keys coming this week. Let us know in the comments if you are going to be picking any of these up or which ones you will be getting.

Exciting New Era in All-Ages Star Wars Comic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:50:00 +0000

Star Wars Adventures is an upcoming ongoing anthology comic book series set in the Star Wars canon. The IDW Publishing series, of which the first issue came out on July 12, 2017 on StarWars.com and was released physically as a part of SDCC promotion, while the series officially started on September 6, features stories from the entirety of Star Wars and is intended for all ages. The first volume will be released as a part of the Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi publishing program.

STAR WARS ADVENTURES #1: Each issue in this monthly series will feature two stories, starring your favorite Star Wars characters from all the films! This debut issue will reveal Rey's early adventures on Jakku as well as a comical tale of clone catastrophe!

Preview of Issue 1

Star Wars Adventures is suitable for all ages and is available in comic book stores and online retailers.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

New Atari 2600/Sega Genesis Systems from AtGames Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:20:00 +0000

The classic videogames of the 70s, 80s, and 90s are coming home and going on the road as AtGames today announced the launch of the Atari Flashback Portable Game Player, the Sega Ultimate Portable Game Player, the Atari Flashback 8 Classic Game Console and the Sega Classic Game Console. All four systems, loaded with classic games, are available starting today at Family Dollar and Toys “R” Us. Additional retailers will have the systems available in the coming weeks.

AtGames also today announced that the new premium HD versions of their classic gaming consoles: the Atari Flashback 8 Gold and the Sega Genesis Flashback will be available at major retailers starting on October 24. The Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition will be available at select retailers in November.

To support the launch of the new systems, AtGames is engaging in a massive non-gaming retail blitz that will bring the classic gaming hardware to retailers including Family Dollar, Dollar General, Kroger, Walgreens, Office Depot, Staples, Kohls, Urban Outfitter, Rite Aid, BJs, JC Penney, QVC, HEB and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Game retailers offering the products include Walmart, Target, Gamestop, Best Buy and Toys “R” Us.

“AtGames has always focused on family friendly fun, value and accessibility,” said Ping-Kang Hsiung, CEO of AtGames. “Making it easy for families to enjoy video games together continues to be AtGames’ mission.“

Seven New Systems

1. The all-new Atari Flashback® 8 Gold features 120 built-in all-time favorites. Games include legends like Activision’s Pitfall! and Taito’s Space Invaders, as well as many other all-time Atari 2600 classics like Kaboom!™, River Raid™, Centipede™, and Millipede™. Two all new, high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired joysticks or paddles. Other all new features for the Atari Flashback® 8 Gold include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.

2. The all-new Atari Flashback® 8 Gold Activision Edition features 130 built-in games, including 39 Activision classics. These games include legends like Activision’s Pitfall!, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, as well as many other all-time Atari 2600 classics like Freeway™, and River Raid™. Two high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired joysticks. Other features for the Activision Edition include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.

3. The Atari Flashback® 8 Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 105 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include Activision legends like Pitfall!™, Kaboom!™, and River Raid™. Two wired controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired joysticks or paddles.

4. The Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player features an amazing selection of 70 built-in games, including the legendary BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment arcade hit, PAC-MAN™. Other blockbuster games include Dig Dug™, Pitfall!™, and Frogger™, and you can even add your own games with an optional SD card. A built-in, rechargeable battery, means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s high resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

5. The all-new Sega Genesis Flashback has a stunning new design, reminiscent of the original console, and features 85 built-in games as well as an integrated cartridge port that plays almost all of your favorite Sega Genesis and Mega Drive original cartridges. Built-in all-time favorites include the Sonic™ series, Mortal Kombat™ series, Phantasy Star™ series, and Shining Force™ series. Two new high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis six button originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired gamepads. Other new features for the Sega Genesis Flashback include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and save/pause/rewind feature functionality.

6. The Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 81 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include role-playing and strategy legends, Shining Force™, and Shining Force II™. Two wired controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired controllers.

7. The Ultimate Portable Game Player returns with an enhanced selection of 85 built-in 16-bit Sega Genesis and Mega Drive classic games. The selection of blockbuster games include new additions PAC-PANIC™ and Splatterhouse 2™, as well as many more surprises. You can even add your own games with an optional SD card! Returning for 2017 is save game support for the included Phantasy Star™ series role-playing games. A built-in, rechargeable battery, means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s high resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

About AtGames

AtGames Digital Media Inc. is a leader in innovative consumer-oriented interactive entertainment products. The company leverages the latest technology to develop and publish its best-selling classic video game products for worldwide distribution. AtGames is based in Los Angeles, with international offices in Taipei and Shenzhen.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Delta Children Provides Hope To Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Victims With Nearly Half A Million Dollar Donation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:46:00 +0000

Delta Children is proud to announce a donation of nearly half a million dollars’ worth of products to Baby2Baby’s Texas relief efforts supporting the children impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

To support families affected by the recent natural disasters, Delta Children is working with longtime nonprofit partner, Delivering Good (previously known as K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers), to facilitate the donation of vital products to victims of Hurricane Harvey, as well as Hurricane Irma.

“A child’s level of security and comfort within their environment is directly correlated to how well he or she deals with traumatic events. With every product donated in this effort, our intention is to provide hope to children and families coping with the trauma of Harvey and Irma,” says Delta Enterprise CEO and President, Joseph Shamie.

Delta Children is the largest family-owned children’s furniture company in the industry. The company was founded 50 years ago around the idea of helping families live better, and today, co-presidents Sam and Joseph Shamie remain committed to that vision. To uphold that mission, Delta Children is donating nearly half a million dollars’ worth of mini cribs, strollers, beds, chairs, desks, storage bins, and more to children and families affected by the widespread destruction of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

“We are thankful for product donors like Delta Children, who provide essential items to help families rebuild after a disaster," says Delivering Good President and CEO, Lisa Gurwitch.

For more than 50 years, Delta Children has been the leading voice on educating parents on the importance of creating safe sleep conditions for children through its Safe Sleep Campaign. This nationwide effort involves both manufacturing the safest products for babies and children while also donating products to children in unsafe environments, such the devastating aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

“Our hearts are with all of those affected by the recent disasters and hope this donation will help improve the quality of life of the babies, children, and parents who are suffering,” says Delta Enterprise CEO and President, Sam Shamie.

For more information click here.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Award Winning ClassDojo Helps Communicate Your Student's Class Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:26:00 +0000

When I was a kid going to school, the communication between my teachers and parents primarily consisted of notes and memo’s going back and forth in my folder. Even when my oldest son (currently 22) was in school, we continued with the same type of communication. It wasn’t until he was in high school where we had the updated option to email his teachers directly. Now I have five children in school and just making time to look in their daily folders is a chore. While hard copies of memo’s and reports are still fine and much needed reminders, their school uses a great mobile app to help keep us up to date on their status and their behavior. The app is called ClassDojo.

ClassDojo [ Website | Twitter | Facebook ] is a classroom communication platform for teachers, parents and students. Primarily it is used to track behavior in the classroom and communicate the results to parents. Launched in August 2011, ClassDojo is used in 90 percent of K-8 schools in the United States and 180countries globally.

ClassDojo allows students, teachers and parents to connect, support and develop student skills. To use the classroom communication program, teachers register to obtain a free account, and then create "classes" with their students.

Students use the program initially with an access code; after creating an account, the students can customize avatars, see classes and see individual progress. Parents can also access ClassDojo when they are invited by the teachers, and can visualize the progress of the child and the information shared by the teachers. Teachers are also able to reward students with positive feedback in real time when they show positive character in a task or activity in class. Parents are also able to get direct communication from the teacher from ClassDojo.

ClassDojo is available as a free web application that can be used in any device with a web browser, and also with native applications for iPhone (iOS) and Android and Kindle. The company plans to keep the main platform free for teachers. The founders say that it is because they want teachers, students and parents in all types of schools to use ClassDojo to encourage learning, skill development, and character-building.

Awards and Recognitions

In 2011, ClassDojo received the Today Show's EducationInnovation Award.
The founders of the company were included on the Forbes "30 Under 30: Education" list in 2012.
In 2013, Forbes recognized ClassDojo as one of the "100 Most Promising Companies of the United States".

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsGREAT app for parents, students and teachers

This is one of my favorite apps. It enables me to communicate with my child's teacher at any given time. I don't need their email address or phone number. I simply pull up this app and send them a message. What I really like about this app is that any teacher my child has is listed, so I can communicate with homeroom teacher or any of them. Also this app allows the teacher to give out dojos for jobs well done. Once my child's dojos accrue prizes are awarded. It's a great communication and reward system.

5.0 out of 5 starsLove Dojo

Helps keep me informed on daily behavior so that issues can be addressed in a timely manner. Teachers post upcoming events to help keep parents informed. Also pictures can be posted that show that the kids are enjoying the educational activities they participate in. Is also a nice tool to communicate with the teachers with any concerns/praises.

Thanks for checking out this post, please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on twitter and facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

MCB Tech Review - Mini Wireless Speakers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 19:55:00 +0000

YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS, EVERYWHERE! – You can now listen to your favourite songs anywhere you are with the INEAR BM3D wireless Bluetooth speakers! Designed with maximum portability and convenience in mind, our stunning travel speakers are the perfect way to fill any part of your day with amazing music!
INNOVATIVE TRUE WIRELESS STEREO TECHNOLOGY FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE! – Indulge yourself in the movie theatre-like superior-quality sound produced by our lightweight and compact BM3D speakers thanks to the cutting-edge TWS technology! They can be easily paired together via Bluetooth and offer you a crystal clear, stereo audio experience no matter where you are!
SLEEK, GEM-LIKE ALUMINUM BODY WILL IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS! – Designed to resemble a unique gemstone, the INEAR BM3D smart Bluetooth speaker is not only sophisticated and stylish, but also extremely durable. You can rest assured that the ultra-loud 3W speaker is protected by the heavy-duty aluminum body!
SUPERIOR, CRYSTAL CLEAR SOUND THAT FITS IN YOUR POCKET! – Our ergonomic and compact Bluetooth wireless universal speaker is the ideal gift for your friends or family! They’ll be able to enjoy their favourite music at the office, in the park, on the beach or on camping trips since the BM3D speaker requires no wires and can be paired with both Android and iOS devices easily!
LIVE THE TRUE WIRELESS EXPERIENCE! – Say goodbye to struggling with wires, cords and constant plugging and unplugging once and for all! The INEAR exclusive portable wireless Bluetooth speaker is the epitome of innovative design and maximum convenience. And the best part? It comes with our hassle-free, full refund guarantee! Why wait any longer?

Available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Speakers-Micro-Premium/dp/B071DN2QSJ

FavorGear BP100 Baseball Bat Pack Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 00:38:00 +0000

We were given the opportunity to review the FavorGear BP100 Baseball Bat Pack. This came at the perfect time on account my nine year old son was starting his summer baseball season when the pack arrived in the mail.

The equipment bag is very well made. Since we're not on any select or tournament teams, the size is perfect for being in a recreational league. The main compartments can reasonably handle the player's cleats, glove and baseballs - while holding either two bats (or a bat and a water bottle) on the outside. The vented shoe compartment is great for wet shoes as well as when they get a little rank.

The quality of the material is great and can withstand a nine year old's routine usage for practice and game day. I can totally see this bag lasting a couple seasons before he outgrows it.

The FavorGear BP100 Baseball Bat Pack is available on Amazon.com (Link Here) with a retail price at $79.99 but currently on sale for $29.97. It is available for free shipping with Amazon Prime.

FavorGear BP100 Baseball Bat Pack
Designed for Kids, Youth and High School Aged Teams Baseball, Softball or T-ball Players Easily Carrying Baseball Gear.

MULTI COMPARTMENTS AND KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED - This baseball backpack features one main zipped compartment and one shoe compartment, one zipped front pocket, two side pockets. The main compartment provide enough room for baseball helmet, batting gloves, cleats, baseball cap and catching glove. The shoe compartment to store cleats without getting mud or dirt on other equipments. The front pocket is good for holding small accessories. And two side pockets are perfect for bats or a water bottle.
✔ DURABLE - Crafted with high-density 600 Denier Oxford fabric and polyester, our baseball bat bag provides extra strength and long-lasting performance with the lightest weight possiable. Heavy duty two-way YKK metal zippers across the main compartment are convenient to operation on whichever side you prefer. Longevity is further enhanced by bar-tacks at major stress points.
✔ COMFORTABLE - Breathable mesh shoulder with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from your shoulder, as well as a built-in ventilation for cooling comfort. The length of the shoulder is easy to adjust and lock firmly. User friendly and comfortable design. With our BP100 baseball pack, you’re always ready for wherever your active life takes you.
✔ CONVENIENT - The Baseball Bags also feature an integrated fence hook for the dugout, the front zipped pocket to quickly store keys, smartphones and accessories. The zipped main compartment are also convenient to store and pick baseball equipments.
✔ DIMENSIONS: 19"H x 13"W x 8"D , This Ultra-light, Ultra-durable, Ultra-awesome backpack is specially designed for carrying Baseball, Softball or T-Ball Gear. Perfect for Youth and Kids. Ideal gift for Children's Day, Back to School, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Deal Day or Christmas.

Image from Amazon

Product Benefits

High quality 600D Oxford fabric and polyester material makes this backpack ultra-durable and ultra-light.
With a large main and shoe compartment, easily fits baseball helmet, batting gloves, cleats, baseball cap, catching glove and shoe.
Vented shoe compartment to store cleats without getting mud or dirt on other equipments.
Specially designed two side pockets are perfect for bats or a water bottle.
Heavy duty two-way YKK metal zippers across the main compartment are convenient to operation on whichever side you prefer.
Adjustable shoulder strap with plentiful sponge padding help relieve the stress from shoulder.
Features fence hook for the dugout.
Dimensions: 19"H x 13"W x 8"D

Strike A Pose With New DC Collectibles Statues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 16:47:00 +0000

DC Collectibles has three new statues available to preorder at your local comic shop from the July PREVIEWS!

Check out Starfire, Superman, and Batman below!

BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY JOHN ROMITA JR

Item Code: JUL170500

SRP: $80.00

From one of the quintessential Batman artists comes a worthy addition to the highly successful Batman Black and White statue line. John Romita Jr., artist of the popular new book ALL-STAR BATMAN VOL. 1: MY OWN WORST ENEMY, submits his amazing designs to make this statue unlike any other!

DC DESIGNER SER SUPERMAN BY NEAL ADAMS STATUE

Item Code: JUL170499

SRP: $150.00

The Man of Steel bursts straight from the cover of Superman #233, drawn by one of the greatest comic book artists of all time, Neal Adams, in this statue from the DC Designer's line in. Superman by Neal Adams is the piece to add to any Adams or Superman collection.

DC BOMBSHELLS STARFIRE STATUE

Item Code: JUL170498

SRP: $125.00

The outcast heir to the Tamaranean throne blasts into the DC Bombshells statue lineup! Starfire is one of the classic DC Bombshells so don't miss out on this amazing addition!

Credit: Toy Chest News

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Sticker Art Books Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 22:00:00 +0000

Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Twitter) Has released some pretty cool sticker activity books. From one of the world’s most respected creators of picture books and gift titles comes colorful animal portraits that young kids can "color" with stickers. Each book has eight sticker-by-number portraits and over 1,000 stickers and also includes fun facts to keep young readers interested.

These exciting books are designed for kids ages 3 to 5.

Giveaway

I will be giving away two of the four books away to two MCB readers (one book each). To enter the giveaway do one or any of the following:

Leave a comment below saying who you think would enjoy this book
Subscribe to this blog - Click Here - Leave a comment saying you subscribed
Follow @ericdbolton on Twitter - Leave a comment saying you followed
Like the Middle Class Batman Facebook Page - Leave a comment saying your liked
Follow middleclassbatman on Instagram - Leave a comment saying you followed
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. - Leave a comment saying you subscribed

Please leave a separate comment for each action in order to be considered. If you do every available option, you would have six entries in the giveaway.

Entries close at 11:59PM CST on 7/14/17.

BONUS ENTRIES

Find my giveaway posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share/retweet them. Leave a comment below for each time you did.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Free MIT Computer and Engineering Courses Available Online

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:48:00 +0000

There are over 2,000 online college courses currently being offered for free through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). You are able to read through the syllabus, course materials, lecture notes, assignments, exams, videos and more - just as ifi you are taking a course straight from MIT.

You will not get college credit or a diploma; only the knowledge is what they are offering.

“The idea is simple: to publish all of our course materials online and make them widely available to everyone.”

– Yue, Professor, MIT School of Engineering

To get started visit MITOpenCourseWare or Educator Page.

BLUE ORANGE GAMES Rally Roll Push Your Luck Dice Game for Families

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 01:44:00 +0000

We were gifted the game, Rally Roll to review. It's a fun family dice game you can play quickly or longer when you want. It's a great game to play on Family Game Night.

You add up the points from the numbers on the dice matching the color of the large die. In the case above - you'd get six points. You can either bank the points and pass your turn or keep rolling. If you happen to get a combination where your color doesn't match your numbers - you go to zero and pass it on to the next player. The first player to fifty wins.

We tried it out and put it on the internet forever in the video below.

As you can tell from the video.. It's a blast!!! [sarcastic emoji]

It is a fun game, tho.

It's for sale on Amazon on the link below the picture.

Link to Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N29IJZE

Advance Preview of Darrell Smith's THE AXEMAN COMETH

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 17:24:00 +0000

Earlier this month, Blind Eye Comics honored me with the opportunity to read and review their upcoming independent release of Darrell Smith's, The Axeman Cometh.

The story is set around Robert Flint, a pre-depression era private detective. He begins to investigate a case of a series of murders at the bequest of wealthy debutante. As you would guess with a title like The Axeman Cometh, things don't go so well during the investigation.

The art and coloring is very unique for today's mainstream comic books. It is a throwback to the comics you can now find in public domain catalogs. They did a great job the Sin City-esque juxtaposition of highlighting the blood stains, lip stick and and red against a black and white frame. It makes the bloody scenes a bit more terrifying rather than blended in with a normal colored frame or page.

If you're interested in a copy of the book, contact Big D at @blindeyepod. For more information.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Marvel Comics Rebranding: Marvel Legacy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 17:06:00 +0000

Every Hero! Every Title! Every Story! Tomorrow, MARVEL LEGACY Changes the Comic Book Industry!

Kicking off this September with MARVEL LEGACY #1, an over-sized 50-page, one-shot special, Marvel Comics titles step towards a bright new future – one that harkens back to what has made Marvel a household name while looking towards tomorrow. With fun and thrilling reveals primed to excite fans, both existing and new, this fall, prepare for MARVEL LEGACY!

To help promote the rebranding, Marvel released animated gifs of upcoming titles and the original cover artwork from the 80s/90s.

“A new initiative that will take things back to our iconic history, with a firm eye on the future, MARVEL LEGACY will present stories that remind everyone—newcomers and longtime fans alike—why Marvel stands as the premier name in fiction,” said Editor in Chief Axel Alonso. “Our titles will unearth gems from Marvel’s rich history, remind readers of connections between characters, and usher in the return of some major characters who’ve been missed. Above all else, we want to inject our comics with a massive dose of fun!”

The relaunch will begin in late 2017 following the conclusion of the Secret Empire story line, with the release of a 50-page one-shot titled Marvel Legacy #1. Writer Jason Aaron and artist Esad Ribić are collaborating on the opening issue and laying the narrative groundwork for the line. The issue will see the return of a fan-favorite character into active service. Quesada teased the cover artwork for the opening issue, hinting at the possible return of Bruce Banner as Hulk, Tony Stark as Iron Man, Thor Odinson reclaiming the hammer Mjolnir, and the appearance of other superheroes in their classic costumes.

Following the release of Marvel Legacy #1, many Marvel comic series are expected to revert to their classic cumulative numbering system.Marvel is also creating a new and consistent cover design, that recaptures their work from the 1980s and 1990s, for their relaunching series.

While the classic versions of Captain America, Thor and Iron Man appear on the Marvel Legacy cover, so do Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Jane Foster’s Thor and Riri Williams’ Ironheart.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Free Spelling and Vocabulary Activities/Games for 1st thru 6th

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 18:55:00 +0000

Textbook publisher, Houghton-Mifflin, offers quite a few spelling and vocabulary games and activities to be used alongside their textbooks or independently from them.They currently have free spelling and vocabulary activities from first thru sixth grade.

Click the link or the picture to head over to the Houghton Mifflin site to view the activities for your kids.

Link: http://eduplace.com/kids/sv/

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Kids and Procrastination [Guest Post]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:27:00 +0000

How many of us have had the joy of being told that science project, you know…the one with the flour plaster volcanoes…is actually due tomorrow? Yes, your child knew when it was due three weeks ago and even mentioned it once to you in passing, but did you really imagine that you would be reminded about it at 8:00 p.m. the night before it had to be done? I know you weren’t expecting it because my wife and I were never expecting the same sort of surprises when we became victims of our son’s procrastination.

Let’s see what tools in our parental arsenal we’ve tried up to this point to get our kids not to put off every important task until the last possible moments: Endless reminding hasn’t worked. Even threats of taking away privileges that will never be seen again didn’t fix it either. Some of our kids are just so good at procrastinating they’ve become pros at it. And it doesn’t just apply to schoolwork. There are always the bedrooms that never get cleaned and trash to be taken out despite solemn oaths that they will all get done “in just a little while.”

If our kids could articulate what their behavior has already told us they would say “But I can’t do it now, not when there are so many other things that I could be doing that would be so much more fun.” And that’s a big part of the problem. Kids are often distracted by opportunities to engage in more immediately rewarding activities than doing schoolwork or cleaning their rooms. Our task as parents becomes teaching them a strategy that allows them to do both.
Award winning children’s author Julia Cook addresses this very issue in her latest book The PROcrastinator, which is published by the Boys Town Press. The lead character Norman David Edward, better known as Noodle, finds it so hard to feed his cat, take out the trash, and (especially) get his homework done when there are a lot better things to do instead. So Noodle puts them off until he is hopelessly behind on homework and has a very hungry, angry cat. Noodle’s mom says he has become so good at procrastinating that now she considers him a pro at it. A PROcrastinator.

In the end, Noodle’s mom teaches him a strategy to manage his days and all of his responsibilities, all while still having plenty of time to play new video games with his friends. The trick is in figuring out what can be accomplished in under two minutes and getting those things done before anything else. Noodle also learns how to break bigger tasks into smaller parts that are easier to get done as well. This is a great strategy that all parents can use with their children who may be inclined to put things off until the last minute.

Of course, one of the most important things we parents can do is recognize when our kids are taking care of their responsibilities right away and really praise them for their efforts. This is especially true when we see them making steady progress on long-term goals such as working on a school project, studying for an upcoming test, etc. Parents can even set up rewards to be earned for their kids’ consistency in completing household responsibilities without being asked repeatedly.

What happens when we use these sorts of strategies for encouraging responsibility and good planning? Less reminding and frustration on our part as parents and better teaching our children the skills they’ll need to be successful in school and out in the “real world.”

Jeff Tierney, M.Ed. has worked with children and families for over 35 years. He has been at Boys Town in Nebraska for the past 28 years working in the staff training and evaluation areas and, most recently, as Director of the Boys Town Press. Jeff is the author of Teaching Social Skills to Youth, Basic Social Skills for Youth, and articles in professional journals on reducing aggressive behavior in children and teens.

For more information about the Boys Town’s award-winning resources for families, schools, and communities visit www.boystownpress.org

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

John Wick is Coming to Comic Books

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:51:00 +0000

Award-winning writer Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Code Monkey Save World), and artist Giovanni Valletta (Dark Horse Presents) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-film franchise John Wick to the pages of comics, thanks to a new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Lionsgate Films. Slated to launch on September 6th, the new series will offer fans of the massively popular character the opportunity to discover his thrilling origin story for the very first time!

John Wick will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' July 2017 PREVIEWS catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of John Wick #1 with their local comic book retailers. John Wick #1 will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, Madefire, and Dark Horse Digital.

Credit: Previews World

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

The Chair #1 Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 05:43:00 +0000

ALTERNA COMICS PRESENTS

THE CHAIR #1 :

Richard Sullivan has spent ten years on death row for a crime he claims he never committed. But lately inmates are being brutally murdered by the Warden and his guards. Will Sullivan escape before it's too late? Now a motion picture starring the legendary Roddy Piper. Printed on newsprint!

Written By: Peter Simeti
Pencils By: Kevin Christensen

Available June 21st, 2017
Suggested Retail Price: $1.00

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Pretty Little Liars: Made Here Tour Pictures by Ian W. Price

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 05:13:00 +0000

From June 15 to August 15, 2017, Pretty Little Liars: Made Here will provide fans with the opportunity to see and experience a collection of authentic props and wardrobe from the show for the first time, including iconic costumes worn by the show’s five lead characters: Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson), Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell), Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario), and Alison DiLaurentis (Sasha Pieterse).

On June 14th, Middle Class Batman sent Ian W Price to get pictures of the event. All the photos associated on this blog from the event are from Ian.

The special exhibit will be located inside Warner Bros.’ interactive soundstage, Stage 48: Script to Screen, where guests experience each stage of the production process while exploring original props, costumes, and sets from some of the studio’s most legendary films and television shows that have entertained the world for more than 90 years. Following the Pretty Little Liars: Made Here kickoff at Stage 48, media will be invited to tour the set of The Brew, the coffee house featured in the series.

In addition to authentic character costumes from the beloved series, the exhibit will also showcase a variety of memorable set design elements from the show, including a recreation of A’s lair, complete with costumes, props, and décor; all five Pretty Little Liars dolls; select pieces from the Caleb, Ezra, and Toby characters, including Toby’s Rosewood police uniform; the Liar’s Lament ”endgame” board; Radley Sanatorium; Halloween/Masquerade Ball episode costumes; and an interactive green-screen photo opportunity.

For all the pictures taken at the event - click here!

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Michael and Rachel Visit Pretty Little Liars: Made Here Hollywood Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 04:43:00 +0000

Credit: Ian W Price

Micheal Hettler with ReelView Studios and Rachel Nursey from Dare and Delight attended Warner Brothers Hollywood Studio Tour as it opened it's Pretty Little Liars: Made Here exhibit.

Pretty Little Liars is in its seventh and final season and the studio opened the tour to the press on Wednesday, June 14th for a sneak peak.

Check out their video of the event below.

Thanks to Michael and Rachel for representing Middle Class Batman.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Coming Soon! AVENGERS #10

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 03:10:00 +0000

AVENGERS #10 :

SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!

They're Earth's Mightiest - but are they heroes? Taskmaster, Deadpool, the Superior Octopus...how can they be fighting alongside the Avengers we know?

Rated T+

In Shops: Aug 02, 2017
SRP: $3.99

About Secret Empire

"Secret Empire" is a 2017 Marvel Comics storyline. This limited series event addresses the aftermath of the crossover event Avengers: Standoff! and the ongoing series Captain America: Steve Rogers, in which Captain America has been transformed into a sleeper agent loyal to Hydra and has been covertly setting the stage to establish Hydra as the main world-power. This causes the rest of the superheroes to join forces and rebel against their former leader and friend to prevent the world from falling under Hydra's control.

Other Secret Empire Books

Square Enix Masters The Mystical Arts With New Doctor Strange Figure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 04:02:00 +0000

Dr. Stephen Strange first made a name for himself as a brilliant American brain surgeon. After seven grueling years of training, however, he obtained the power of the mystical arts and became an unlikely kind of superhero. His name? Doctor Strange.

His signature cape can be inverted for a multitude of poses, while the exaggerated contrast unique to the paintwork of the Marvel Universe Variant series brings out his profound presence.

Articulated areas such as the chest, shoulders and hips incorporate flexible materials to allow for a wide range of motion. With magic glyphs and effect parts constructed with translucent materials and interchangeable hand parts, the Doctor Strange figure can be posed in various dynamic ways. Figure includes display stand.

Preorder your own Marvel Universe Variant Play Arts Kai Doctor Strange Action Figure from Square Enix now at your local comic shop!

OTHER STRANGE ITEMS

Three Backstage Employees Gone From Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 03:56:00 +0000

Shane Helms, Al Snow and Pat Keeney (formally Simon Diamond in ECW) are reportedly done with Impact Wrestling as soon as their current deals expire at the end of June. The three of them have been working as producers behind the scenes in the recent months with the company.

Sources have indicated the decisions to let the three men go were due to having seven different producers employed at the same time. Impact stars Abyss and Sonjay Dutt also serve as producers but carry different responsibilities within the company. The company opted not to renew the deals of Helms, Snow and Keeney since they were only working as producers.

April was the last time they have been used on television.

Keeny had been working with the company since 2003. Simon was originally a wrestler before moving into a top producer/agent position. Al Snow arrived in the Impact Zone in 2008. Shane Helms showed up the most recent of the three a couple years ago in 2015.

As with most major announcements - Twitter became a place to voice their opinions on the matter:

I'd like to wish @IMPACTWRESTLING all the best in their future endeavors.
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) June 19, 2017

I've never been an ass-kisser and I damn sure wasn't gonna start with an owl. 😁👍🏻
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) June 19, 2017

Much respect to the locker room at @IMPACTWRESTLING, very talented crew. You all deserve so much more. Even you @RobbieEImpact 😁👍🏻
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) June 19, 2017

I want to say thank you to everyone at @IMPACTWRESTLING for the great run I’ve had.Change must always happen & I am excited for the future .
— Al Snow (@TheRealAlSnow) June 19, 2017

Every Story has a Beginning,Middle & an End. Without that Ending U can never have a New Once Upon for an even better Story. I am Excited !!
— Al Snow (@TheRealAlSnow) June 19, 2017

Originally from Top Rope Press via PWInsider.com

A Toddler Predicts the Winner of WWE Money in the Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 22:39:00 +0000

Tonight is the WWE's Money in the Bank pay-per-view. So in an effort to produce some premium content and exploit my kids cuteness - I... uhh... exploited their cuteness.

Below you will see the first episode of "A Toddler Predicts". A Toddler Predicts stars my three year old daughter, Maddy. She gives her expert opinion on who is going to win the event.

Be sure to like, share and subscribe to the channel. I need confirmation to know I'm exploiting my child correctly.

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

Sherlock Holmes, My Dad, and Me [ Guest Post ]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 23:59:00 +0000

Sherlock Holmes, My Dad, and Me

By Anna Elliott, co-author of the Sherlock Holmes & Lucy James Mystery Series

It took me seven years to land my first publishing contract— which is actually not terrible by industry standards. But it meant that I’d had the dedication on my first novel picked out for at least that long: To my dad, who taught me to write.

When I was in my last year of college, required to complete a thesis for honors in English, my dad effectively told me,Write a novel, then drove me to the computer store, bought me a laptop, and walked me through the writing process from the outlining stage on.

But actually, my dad’s lessons in writing— and in life— started much earlier. While I was growing up, we had two unspoken requirements for membership in our family: a love of the written word, and a love of a good mystery. Both were easy as far as I was concerned; I’d had my nose in a book practically from the moment I could recognize words on the page, and graduated from the mystery aisle in the library children’s section to reading Agatha Christie and other classic British mystery greats before I was out of elementary school.

I almost never read Sherlock Holmes stories— arguably the greatest British mysteries of them all— by myself, though. Those stories were special; they were for my dad and me.

When I was very young, my dad supported our family as a full-time novelist. He was— in my obviously unbiased opinion— great at it. But unfortunately that old truism about it being hard to get published but even harder to stay published was in his case entirely true. Through no fault of his own, his publishing house went through a major restructuring, his editors left, and his books were largely abandoned.

That was life— and writing— lesson number one: the dream comes easily; the reality is paved with setbacks, a lot of hard work, and sometimes even having to put the dream itself up high on the shelf.

I’m sure it was hard— much harder than I was fully aware of as a child— for my dad to set his writing aside so that he could support our family. But he landed on his feet. He went back to law school, working the grueling hours of both a full-time job and a full-time course load.

But even still, he always made time for me— and he always had time for Sherlock Holmes. I think I was seven when my dad, reading to me at bedtime, read me the fateful opening of 'A Study In Scarlet' -- Chapter One: Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

From that moment on, Sherlock Holmes became my bedtime story reading of choice. I was captivated by the world of Victorian London: hansom cabs and cobblestone streets, gas lights and ladies in elegant, sweeping gowns. More than that, though, I was captivated by the figure of Sherlock Holmes himself: his staggering intellect, his almost magical ability to deduce the solution to a mystery from the scantiest of clues.

Of course, that’s hardly surprising; for more than a hundred years, since the first Holmes stories were published, millions of readers have been fascinated by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous consulting detective. The Guinness World Records lists him as the "most portrayed movie character" in history. The 1942 film Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror starring Basil Rathbone opens with the words:

Sherlock Holmes, the immortal character of fiction created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is ageless, invincible and unchanging. In solving significant problems of the present day he remains – as ever – the supreme master of deductive reasoning.

Conan Doyle himself described Holmes as “a calculating machine,” and no one can read the Holmes stories without being aware that there is something more than slightly inhuman about Holmes, who declares in 'The Sign of Four,' “Love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things.”

Yet I think what fascinated me most about the great detective wasn’t the sense of almost alien otherness that many readers get from his character. Rather, it was an odd sense of familiarity— because for me, my dad was close to Sherlock Holmes. I don’t mean that he was cold or unfeeling or unaffectionate; he certainly was none of those. But being with my dad, I always had the sense of being in the company of an amazing intellect— I imagine in something of the same way Watson must have felt in the company of Holmes.

All the time I was growing up, I can’t remember my dad ever answering, “I don’t know,” to any question I asked. He could explain anything, from a question about algebra homework to one on Renaissance art— and he had Sherlock Holmes’ ability to be endlessly curious, endlessly interested in the world around him.

Thanks to my dad, I noticed the moments in the Holmes stories when the great detective shows a glimpse of humanity beneath the reason and logic. Moments such as when Dr. Watson is wounded by a bullet, and writes of Holmes’ frantic response:

It was worth a wound; it was worth many wounds; to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask.

Or in 'The Adventure of the Cardboard Box', published in 1892, when Sherlock Holmes asks, "What is the object of this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must have a purpose, or else our universe has no meaning and that is unthinkable. But what purpose? That is humanity's great problem, to which reason, so far, has no answer."

I was absolutely delighted when— after putting me through college and doing good work that mattered over the course of a successful career in real estate law— my dad felt inspired to write his own homage to the Sherlock Holmes character:The Last Moriarty, published by Thomas & Mercer in 2015.

Life and writing lesson number two: The seemingly fairy tale-esque success stories aren’t just fairy-tales. They do happen. Of course there are no guarantees, but at the end of the day, great things can happen if you keep your writer’s heart nourished and don’t give up on the dream.

I loved my dad’s unique take on the Sherlock Holmes character— which I think is built on absolute love and respect for the original Sherlock Holmes canon, and yet gives the reader a few more glimpses of that humanity hinted at in the Conan Doyle stories. In 'The Last Moriarty', Sherlock Holmes is confronted by a problem quite different from any he’s encountered in the course of his detecting career: a daughter. A headstrong, beautiful, and brilliantly intelligent daughter who challenges all his Victorian sensibilities about the rightful place of women and throws his cold, logically-ordered world into disarray.

In 2016, my dad asked me whether I would think about turning my own experience as an author of historical fiction to giving Lucy James— Holmes’ daughter— her own voice. The result was 'Remember, Remember', and I can truly say that writing it was one of the most fun, joyful, effortlessly delightful writing experiences of my whole career.

My father isn’t Sherlock Holmes, not really, and I’m not Lucy James. Yet it was tremendous fun for us both to not only dive into our shared love of Sherlock Holmes’ world, but also to write that father-daughter dynamic. To be a father-daughter team, writing about a father-daughter team. We're separated by miles, living hours away from each other in different states, and by the inevitable busy-ness of my having a family now and three young children of my own. But writing with my dad still feels like coming full-circle, back to the magic of that first moment when he sat down next to me and read the unforgettable words:

Chapter One. Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

ABOUT ANNA ELLIOTT:

Anna Elliott is co-author of the Sherlock Holmes & Lucy Holmes Mystery Series. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. Anna lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and three children.

Find Anna on Goodreads, Amazon, and her website http://www. annaelliottbooks.com/

Thanks for checking out this post. Please leave a comment below to let me know what you thought about it. Also, be sure to subscribe to this blog as well as follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I appreciate you. Thank you for your time. - MCB

The Toilet Paper Rod: a True Story

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 11:50:00 +0000

The following is an actual conversation that took place between my wife and I. I've posted it a couple times on the blog, but I am posting it again for newer readers. The video was made with a free version of XTRA NORMAL - which is no longer available I believe.

Enjoy.