A Funny Story Involving a Portable TV in the 1970s
Do you want to hear a funny story? Not exactly but something like this. When I was a youngster way back in the 1970s my family owned a portable TV. It was bulky
What’s in a Name? The Story of DaddyElk
Since I started DaddyElk I've been asked several times just what the heck the name means. Well, I wish there was some deep, symbolic meaning behind it but it comes from a very simple source.
Episode 23: Nexus of All Realities: Giant-Size Man-Thing #1
Welcome everyone to the Nexus of All Realities – A Man-Thing podcast! Today on the program...the big one...the grand euphemism...the greatest double entendre in all comic book history: Giant-Size Man-Thing So yes, there will be jokes
What You Reading? Invisible Woman #1
by Mark Waid & Mattia De Iulis I typically do not write about first issues of a comic book because – for me – I find the first issue to be the least
What You reading? Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi I am a lover of genre fiction – specifically scifi and fantasy. And in the case of fantasy I feel that it gets a bad rap. I understand that when
I Can Hear the Fireworks Up & Down the Line: 4th of July Memories
It is Independence Day. There is red, white and blue bunting hung from porches and windows. The air has the scent of smoke; it’s there in the background but always present. You almost don’t notice it...
Quick Thought: Is Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings Brilliant or Bad?
I recently re-watched Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings (and mean really recently – like 10 minutes ago) and as I sat blinking at my screen as the credits rolled I thought to
Fearful Symmetry: William Blake’s The Tyger
On the most recent episode of the Collected Edition I and my co-host Brian Reese discuss the classic Spider-Man story Kraven's Last Hunt also known as "Fearful Symmetry" the title of which comes from
What You Watching? Man-Thing (2005)
In 2005 a film adaptation of the comic book character Man-Thing was released from Lions Gate Films. And I can say with full confidence that of all the films released in 2005 –
What You reading? There, There
by Tommy Orange Set in Oakland, California Tommy Orange's debut novel follows several characters creating a multi-generational examination of Native American life in a modem Urban landscape. As the novel progresses we meet
On the Beach with Mars: NASA Image of the Day
Look at that. Look how beautiful. Such a majestic site to behold. It just fills one with wonder and awe. I mean seriously, what an amazing looking dog. Good boy! Oh, and that sky is
Thoughts on Turning 50
I woke up this morning and found myself 50 years old. It is a significant moment, a momentous occasion, a milestone worthy of celebration and revelry. Except that it isn’t. You see I don’t feel
What You Reading? The Philosophy of Horror
by Noel Carroll This book takes a serious look into the aesthetics of horror. Carroll is a philosopher so comes at the material with a philosophical view (obviously) but he is also a
What You Reading? In the Dust of This Planet: Horror of Philosophy (v1)
by Eugene Thacker This is the first of Thacker’s trilogy of the philosophy of horror. It is a fascinating read that seamlessly veers from classical philosophy to modern to occult and mysticism. But
What You Reading? Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
by Sean Howe This is a must for anyone interested in the history of Marvel Comics or just comics in general. As the title would imply (and by “imply” I mean directly states) this is
No Joke: 2019 Resolutions: Honesty & Courage
Today is January 1, 2019. A new year. And as with all new years it is a time to reflect and make plans for the future and to make resolutions for change and to make
Happy Life Day: The Star Wars Holiday Special
Author's note: This was written nearly four years ago and I must admit my opinion of the Star Wars Holiday Special has softened a bit. Oh, I still think it's awful don't get me
He Sees You When You’re Sleeping: Krampus the Anti-Claus
We are all familiar with the benevolent nighttime intruder who once a year indulges in mass breaking and entering to deposit gifts under indoor foliage. You know, the omnipotent fat man dressed in red who
Horse with No Name: A Shining Beacon of Mediocrity for the Ages
I work in a place that plays canned music on the loudspeaker all day. To be fair there is a decent amount of variety (although at the time I write this, in mid-December, there is
Painting Movement: Jackson Pollock: Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)
Back when I was in High school I took an art history class where we studied the life and works of artists from the Renaissance to the modern period. I had by this time
Things I Like: Longbox of Darkness
There are three things I like quite a bit: comics, horror, and podcasts. So imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered someone combined all three! The Longbox of Darkness is a podcast covering horror