Things That Make March 2016 Magic

March 13^th is Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 in the morning.  I like this concept since I have missed seeing the sun.  I kind of like seeing it.  Going to work when and coming home when it is dark takes its toll.  I’m hoping that everyone who suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder can catch a breather and begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Sure it wasn’t a harsh winter for us this year but it was still winter and seeing these gray days come to an end does wonders for yours truly.  It will be good to see the sun again.  “Spring forward”… you know the rest.

                                 "Little darlin', its been a long, cold, lonely winter..."

March 15^th.  Besides being the Ides of March where those in the know lord over the rest of the unwashed masses that they are aware that on March 15, 44 BC, Julius Ceasar gets assassinated and stabbed in the back; SONY is about to unveil Playstation VR.  “Cheap” Virtual Reality for us, the unwashed masses in the know.  How cheap remains to be seen but this could be big.  Oculus Rift and virtual reality are the logical step in immersive gaming.  If you get the chance to try out an Oculus take it – you will be amazed.  Having Playstation on board with this has truly groundbreaking potential.  There’s going to be a news conference on March 15^th, 2016 to show it off and, hopefully, unveil the price tag.  Virtual Reality is ground breaking but being an early innovator does not always come cheaply.  I’m hoping to hear and see great things on the Ides of March.

                                                Oh, the things we'll see...

March 25^th.  “Batman V Superman – Dawn of Justice” opens on this day.  Any Geek worth his or her salt grasps the iconic nature of finally having the trinity up on the silver screen – Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.  They are the stuff of legend.  Marvel has had their act together for quite some time now and this, as Warner Brothers & DC hope, will launch DC Comics pantheon from page to screen.  Zack Snyder is at the helm.  It was his vision that put the, “Man of Steel” onto the big screen and started to hint at a much larger world.  Having the genesis of the Justice League unfold on the big screen is an idea whose time has come.  For one reason or another it has been a long time coming.  The stories are there but Warner Brothers didn’t jump until now.  I, for one, can’t wait.  I think that Snyder has something wonderful up his sleeve.  I’m hoping that he gets out of the way and let these icons speak for themselves.  I betting the he does.  He has his collective act together too.  We will also get a peek at some of the other players too.  Expect to see the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg make their cameos too.  Can “Justice League” be far behind?  Who else do you get to take on the “Suicide Squad”?  Fans can be cruel.  I believe this is because they have been hurt in the past and that they have ideas as to how these stories that are so close to their hearts should be told.  There is baggage too, Superman did something in the last movie that he would be hard pressed to ever do in the comics.  I’m hoping that there are repercussions and I hope they are explained in this new film.  I believe in Zack and, Lord knows, I believe in these icons.  I can’t wait to see what happens.    

                                 The trinity.  The back bone of the Justice League.

The Comic Book Project

So a friend of mine, let’s call her, “Trixie” was cleaning out an attic recently.  Her son found some issues of “Action Comics”, “Jimmy Olsen”, & “World’s Finest”.  She asked her son if he wanted them.  He said no.  She said that she knew someone (spoilers – ME) who would.  She was right.

Trixie, I love ya.

The books are from the mid to late sixties & are monthly publications and this got me thinking.  I too am from the mid to late sixties and I have an original publication date (birthday) in December.  ‘Come to think of it,” I thought to myself, “lots of people have such a publication history.”  Then I thought of my immediate family.  How cool would it be to find a comic in the birth month for each family member, frame them, and put them in a collage on a wall in the ops center at Rancho del Evil Chicken?  “Very cool, indeed.” I thought to myself.

But how does one organize such an undertaking?  Do you choose only Marvel, only DC, or do you mix and match?  Of course you go with characters that you love but what if the cover in your birth month is a little less than you had hoped – do you plan for back up covers?  Yup; you do.  My thoughts immediately were drawn to, “The Amazing Spider-Man”.  In December of 1968 the cover has Spidey with his back to the view, askew, with the gauntlets of Mysterio ready to crush him.

Not bad but then I thought to myself, “What was the HULK up to?”  Apparently he was in the Savage Land with Kazar fighting “UMBU the Unliving”!  Nice cover – looks like it’s right out of the sixties – and now I have a dilemma.

Then there is my wife.  I narrowed her down to two covers, “Detective Comics – Batman and Batgirl” 384 and, “Silver Surfer” 4.  The Batman issue has the quote, “Who is the mysterious SHE?” prominently featured on the cover so that scores some points there. 

The Silver Surfer cover is set up in a classic Jack Kirby-esqu slugfest between the “God of Thunder” and the “Sky-rider of the Space Ways!”

What about the kids!?  My oldest was born just when “Doomsday” was being introduced to the DC universe.  His arrival was big news for Superman and her arrival was big news for us.  

My middle child has a love for Tony Stark and all things, “Iron Man”.  She was born during the whole, “Heroes Reborn” saga at Marvel.  A pretty good time to be alive.  

Rob Liefeld & Jim Lee breathed life back into these guys when no one else could.

My youngest was born when “Batman Beyond” was making the transition from TV to comics.  Further, Terry McGuiness is one of her favorites.  I hope that DC does more with Terry in the future - so does my youngest.

So now I have another reason to save my pennies.  My wife has already threatened to take her issue into work – thereby throwing off the entire Comic Book Project concept in the process.  I may have to get both issues for her so she can alternate at work and not throw off the AWESOMNESS of the feng shui that the framed collage would provide.

I know that I have some of these issues in the attic.  So, if you will excuse me, Gentle Reader, I have a mission to attend to.  This project is not going to start itself.

Level Up Entertainment & Farpoint Toys

In the very beginning of the film, “A Christmas Story” Ralphie and his family are looking into the intricate holiday display at the local department store in rapt wonder at the trains, the toys and, of course, that Red Rider BB Gun.  The film is set in the fifties and is really a love letter to that period in time. 

Retailers these days could take a page from that old ‘five and dime’ store window.  It seems that the farther our drive and desire for material things comes the less imagination retailers use in their window fronts.  Their corporate entities must just channel all that creativity from the stores to their ad campaigns.

I am happy to report that my cynicism towards storefronts was put completely and utterly on hold this past week.  Yes, it’s true; I had a Ralphie moment and it all happened at the Hamilton Mall at the shop window of Level Up Entertainment and Far Point Toys & Collectables.  If you are a card-carrying geek such as myself you owe it to yourself to make the pilgrimage.   

This is not merely a storefront; NO, it is an assemblage of art.  The skill and forethought that went into the execution of this piece shows the depth of love for the subject matter.  I love the care that went into this piece – it all interconnects and tells this epic tale of comic book glory.  It is simply brilliant.  The pictures I took have the glare of the storefront window so it really is best seeing it up close and personal.  Of course you could also check them out on Facebook by clicking right here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Level-Up-Entertainment/65595896816 and here: http://www.facebook.com/farpointtoys. 

 

Level Up Entertainment and Farpoint Toys & Collectables, as you may have surmised, specializes in video games, comics, toys and collectables.  So if there is a piece missing from your collection, if you’re seeking a particular videogame or if you are looking for that last Avenger figure to complete the security for around your computer – then these are the people you need to see.  I went in to compliment the man who put the whole diorama together and, while in the process of geeking out, I let slip that I needed three stands for the Avengers figures that protect my laptop.  He was kind enough to give me some spares that he had lying around.  That was a kindness that I truly appreciated, Gentle Reader.  These guys get it.  They love what they do and they love sharing that love with the world.  That being said I wanted to share them with YOU. 

Level Up Entertainment / Farpoint Toys & Collectables is located in the Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330, Suite 1129.  Their number is 609-569-9200.  They are located on the first level via the main entrance – make a right before the escalators and prepare to have your jaw drop.  Show ‘em some love. 

When you visit just ask me to move over so we can both share a Ralphie moment at the storefront window together.