You gotta be straight’ trippin’-again! More classic performances by the funniest comics in town. Whether it’s the straight-up genius of Marvin Bell, the tag-team antics of Arceneaux and Mithcell, or the hiliarious sound effects of Michael Winslow, this DVD delivers the laughs.

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Greg Kenton has two obsessions — making money and his long-standing competition with his annoying neighbor, Maura Shaw. So when Greg discovers that Maura is cutting into his booming Chunky Comics business with her own original illustrated minibooks, he’s ready to declare war.

The problem is, Greg has to admit that Maura’s books are good, and soon the longtime enemies become unlikely business partners. But their budding partnership is threatened when the principal bans the sale of their comics in school. Suddenly, the two former rivals find themselves united against an adversary tougher than they ever were to each other. Will their enterprise — and their friendship — prevail?

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One of the most ground-breaking, thrilling and acclaimed television dramas, “24″ follows twenty-four consecutive hours in the intense life of Jack Bauer, a maverick anti-terrorist agent from the state-of-the-art Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). Each episode covers one hour of real time and each season’s unique storyline unfolds in one heart-stopping day. Capture the action in this cleverly crafted Boxed Set. Jack Bauer’s figure measures 6″ tall.

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This 10th volume in the best-selling, award-winning series collects the epochal “Good Prince” storyline.

Flycatcher, a background player in the FABLES series, is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the startling truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. At the same time, he learns that the Adversary — Gepetto, the manipulative Fable who forced the Fables community into exile — plans to destoy his foes once and for all. Only Flycatcher and his army of ghosts has a chance of stopping the Adversary from wiping out his home. But how can the meek Flycatcher undertake this deadly task?

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5 Stars The Kingdom of the Good Prince - a balm for the Emperor’s thorny rule
First, there was Boy Blue’s arse-kicking incursion, which resulted in who knows how many casualties for the Adversary (see Fables Vol. 6: Homelands). Then, Bigby Wolf’s secret retaliatory strike at the heart of the Adversary’s Empire (see Fables Vol. 8: Wolves). Now, as the end caption of issue #60 reads: “Single-handedly invading the Homelands. Third time’s a charm.” It’s Prince Ambrose’s turn. Except that he doesn’t do this single-handedly.

(Catching up on this amazing title, for those who need it: FABLES scribe Bill Willingham imagines characters from myth, folklore, and fairy tales as real people who long ago were driven from their Homelands by the monstrous Emperor. These days, these folks live among us, inhabiting a piece of Manhattan’s Upper West Side even as they hide their true nature from us. As we come up to this story arc, things have come to a head between these denizens of Fabletown and the Emperor. The stench of war taints the air - or maybe it’s just smog, I dunno.)

Some SPOILERS now.

THE GOOD PRINCE recounts one of the most moving story arcs Bill Willingham has ever produced for FABLES, not to mention one of the most epic, taking up almost a whole year to chronicle. If you’re at all any fan of Flycatcher, then you’re gonna soar to the moon because he becomes the central character for a good while. From the start of the FABLES series, Flycatcher’s been one of its recurring ancillary characters. We don’t know too much of him, other than he’s the Frog Prince of the famous fairy tale, but that he’s lost the awful memories of his family being slaughtered. In Fabletown, this unassuming guy’s been reduced to perennial custodial status, thanks largely to Bigby, who was looking out for him (there’s a good reason). But, recently, Flycatcher, a prince whose real name is Ambrose, has had his painwracked memories restored to him and this becomes the catalyst for THE GOOD PRINCE cycle. And, so, after weeks of near catatonic despondency and after some straightening out by Ride and his best friend Boy Blue, Fly finally sets out to do big things in memory of his massacred family. By the time Flycatcher’s epic story concludes, he’ll have gained a haunted kingdom and played a key role in Fabletown’s upcoming struggle against the Emperor and the Homelands.

Working thru a kind of magical intuition, Flycatcher gathers a curious assembly to him, comprising in part of characters we thought we’d never see again. His right hand man is a once glorious knight in need of redemption (that enough of a clue?). Two deceased Fabletown villains return, as well as a recent traitor. Flycatcher begins his quest with a harrowing journey thru the dead lands within the Wishing Well, this being the path he chooses to return to the Homelands. Once there, he means to establish a kingdom, as a refuge for those subjects unwilling to live under the Adversary’s iron rule. This act of rebellion doesn’t at all pass unnoticed, and so very soon the Emperor is deploying various armies to Flycatcher’s tiny kingdom of Haven. Except that Flycatcher doesn’t believe in the brutality and horror of war. Even though he now wields the legendary sword in the stone. He finds another way.

FABLES Vol. 10: THE GOOD PRINCE collects issues #60-69, including the nine chapters of “The Good Prince.” As well, there’s an interlude issue (#64), very welcome because we get to check in with the Wolf household as my homie Bigby, Snow, and the cubs celebrate the cubs’ fifth birthdays. This story also marks the children at last finding out about their invisible brother, Ghost. Aaron Alexovich’s cute, lighthearted artwork definitely shifts away from the solemn mood of Fly’s storyline. Meanwhile, Prince Charming and his inner circle have learned of the Emperor’s intent to war with Fabletown. And, so, Willingham also presents cutaway segments devoted to Fabletown as it girds for war, with its residents undertaking various combat training (including sniper school).

This is a really terrific read. THE GOOD PRINCE ranks very much up there as one of my favorite FABLES stories. This is the tenth TPB, covering sixty-nine issues, and writer Bill Willingham just keeps it going. There’s a richness and depth here which is rarely found in other comic book titles. Guy makes you care for his cast of characters. He’s so good at this that he had me totally absorbed with Flycatcher, that odd, formerly negligible dude with the mop and the frog cap. Also engrossing are the passages which dwell on Fabletown’s gearing up for war, the meticulous plannings and the meetings that went into it. Meantime, longtime workhorses and respective penciller and inker Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha not only provide continuity in the visuals but, as a bonus, this trade also reproduces James Jean’s fabulously ethereal covers to this run of FABLES.

One very intriguing tongue-in-cheek aspect in all this is Fly’s asking the magic mirror to keep his friends apprised of his doings. This results in Fly’s exploits suddenly becoming a must-see TV event for the Fabletown community - Willingham’s pretty cool nudge at the ribs at reality television. Another thing I like about THE GOOD PRINCE is that Flycatcher, while having come up the world in a big way, at his core remains the same unassuming cat we’ve come to know. I love the coda, which has Fly donning his old hat for old times’ sake - a moment of respite to go out on, as the big bad war looms over the fables.

5 Stars The Series Continues to Please!
I thought by now I’d be over FABLES. I mean, Ten bound volumes, plus those Jack extras, etc.

But no. It keeps me involved and interested and delighted. While the critique that this one is not sufficiently involved with evolving characterization rings true, we nevertheless get some revelations, we get a fun plot with a twist, we get a bit of humor, and we get a trip down to the Witching Well (which, come on, weren’t you curious?)

This installment, which harkens more to a traditional hero’s journey, a more traditional fable, in this case, Flycatcher’s redemptive journey, fills that bill nicely. We see tormented Flycatcher take the reins of his destiny–and, naturally, magic is afoot. His journey twines with that of the Forsworn Knight (another recurring background character who has been tickling curiosity out of me from the start). The two find a way to heal wounds, make amends, and do good. It will affect both the exiles and the homelanders. It’s certainly gonna tick off the Big Baddie puppetmaker.

Characterization quibbles aside, and even the complaint that this too easily solves a great portion of the war build-up—well, I’m gonna give the writers credit that they’ll find a way to up the stakes, despite what happens here.

This is a story of redemptions, heroism, self-sacrifice, and reaping the rewards of virtue (or the just desserts of baddieness). It’s got a happy ending (which I love), and it gives a message of seeking ways other than traditional warfare to bring a resolution (at least in part) and solve problems for the greater community. That’s a good lesson. Although, naturally, it’s easier done when one has magical armor, Excalibur, and a band of special fighters not limited to traditional means. (Okay, so maybe that does dilute the pacifistic point. Heh.) There’s even a nifty ecological message in the climactic battle.

All in all, a wonderful addition to the ongoing storyline of FABLES. I love this series. Top-notch stuff. Can’t wait to get #11 to add to my collection.

Mir

5 Stars The next chapter in the tale that never flags or fails to amuse
Bill Willinmgham’s creative use of fairy, folk, and fabulous tales has yet to fall short or disappoint in any way. The stories engage the reader and journeys him through imaginative arabesques never imagined no matter how familiar the story. This volume further strengthens FABLES’ ascended avatar among the best of the trade collection pantheon. The characterization remains rich, adding to the already considerable depth of Prince Ambrose, the Bigby bad wolf cubs, Weyland Smith, and Frau Totenkinder in delightful ways. The plot, while quite complex, even byzantine, for a graphic novel, winds lovingly and at length back upon itself with grace and aplomb. Again, these are not the watery and weepy nursery tales of the Disney ilk, but it is so grand to see these archetypal stories returned to the vivaciously dark and brilliant milieus from whence they originated. Superb reading and looking.

5 Stars A Good Tale About a Good Man
The Good Prince–a more appropriate title for a book has never existed. Fables is, far and away, the best comic book series running at the moment. The Good Prince comprises issues 60-69 of the title, and having read the entire run thus far, I can attest that Fables just keeps getting better and better.

In The Good Prince, Flycatcher takes hold of his lineage and accepts his true name of Prince Ambrose once more. While Fabletown and the Homelands continue to plan and engage war with one another, Prince Ambrose offers a third refuge, one without violence or political espionage.

Prince Ambrose is given the armor of the Foresworn Knight who turns out to be a rather famous figure from our favorite legend. He then uses that armor, as well as a certain well-known sword, to travel through the land of the dead and take up uninvited residence in the Homelands. Prince Ambrose collects friends and foes who were tossed down the Witching Well while making his way through the land of the dead and offers them a sort of pseudo-life as long as they remain just and true. For friends, this is not a problem; for foes, well, let’s say that some struggle at being “good” more than others. But set up his kingdom, and it grows and grows, despite constant attacks from the Adversary.

What I really love about The Good Prince is that Prince Ambrose refuses to kill. He wants no bloodshed from either his own startup kingdom or the Adversary’s armies. He is resolute, but he is also noble, kind, virtuous, and admirable. In today’s comics, we don’t see that very often.

A wonderful subplot in The Good Prince is also the political maneuvering between Fabletown and the Homelands. Fabletown takes full advantage of Prince Ambrose’s distracting the Adversary and whittling down his armies to prepare an army of their own, one which may be quite capable of making sure all Fables can return to their own homes–not just Prince Ambrose’s kingdom–anew.

Fables is such an imaginative concept, but Bill Willingham really goes above and beyond with intricate plots and charismatic characterizations. I’ve loved Fables for years now, and I don’t see any signs that Fables will lose my love anytime soon.

~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant

5 Stars Wonderful addition to the series.
It took long enough to come out but I did enjoy this book immensely. A great addition to the series.

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He’s back. A hero for our millennium. And not a moment too soon, because during the five years (much longer in movie-fan years!) Superman sought his home planet, things changed on his adopted planet. Nations moved on without him. Lois Lane now has a son, a fiance and a Pulitzer for “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” And Lex Luthor has a plan that will destroy millions - no, billions - of lives. Filmmaker Bryan Singer (X-Men) gives the world the Superman it needs, honoring the legend everyone loves while taking it in a powerful new direction. Brandon Routh proves a perfect choice to wear the hero’s cape, leading a top cast that includes Kate Bosworth as Lois and Kevin Spacey as Lex. And the thrills - from a sky-grapple with a tumbling jumbo jet to a continent-convulsing showdown - redefine Wow. “I’m always around,” Superman tells Lois. You’ll be glad he is.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Some high highs and low lows
Superman Returns is essentially an alternate Superman 3 that follows the 1st and 2nd Christopher Reeves films of yesteryear. It takes place several years after the Man of Steel has left Earth to find his home planet of Krypton, and deals with the events that occur upon his return. The movie has some brilliant moments mixed with some awkward and downright bad elements that end up rooting it firmly in mediocrity.

The casting is a bright side. Brandon Routh exceeds expectations and plays an excellent Superman as well as a terrific Clark Kent. Kevin Spacey turns in a solid performance as Lex Luthor, although he is somewhat restricted in his villainy due to the fact that he’s following the cooki cutter characature set forth by Gene Hackman. The film also pushes the envelope of the Superman mythos, presenting a Lois Lane who has moved beyond her love of Superman and even had a child. Her new boyfriend is a surprisingly nice and heroic guy himself, keeping it from being clear cut as to who Lois should pursue.

The weaknesses of the film are mired in some very bad plot points. Lex Luthor’s evil scheme makes even less sense than usual, and his failure is predictable. The film’s biggest failure is the part written for Lois Lane’s child, which combines nearly every bad clich

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They’re back: Calvin, the six-year-old dirty tricksmeister and master of indignation and his warm, cuddly philosopher sidekick, Hobbes, a tiger whose idea of adventure is to lie on his back by the fire and have his stomach rubbed. In six short years this unlikely due has captured the hearts, the minds, and, most of all, the funny bones of America. They are the msot phenomenal success story in syndication - and publishing - history. In only six years, they appear in more than 2,100 newspapers worldwide, and Calvin and Hobbes wins as many readership polls as Calvin has excesses. All seven of Bill Watterson’s collections have sold a million copies within a year of publication. This treasury collection contains a never-before-published full-color section, as well as the cartoons appearing in The Revenge of the Baby-Sat and Scientific Progress Goes “Boink.” All Sunday cartoons are presented full-page and full-color.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Indispensable! What else can I say?
Fans of Calvin & Hobbes who used to read the newspaper strip in the 80s and 90s will find great pleasure in reading this treasury of C&H comics. These witty comics about the 6-year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, named after the famous philosophers, will amuse people of all ages. The perceptiveness and humor of Watterson deserve the highest of cartoon awards, while his artistic creations exude hilarity. This cartoon is perhaps one of the most piercing yet funny critiques of modern society.

This book starts out with Calvin praying for snow so he can engage in one of his favorite hobbies: sledding, and then his other favorite hobby, throwing snowballs at Susie. Aside from the snowman exhibition, this book is a must-have since it covers the founding of C&H

“If Garfield ever lost weight, I’d lose my job security.”
–Jim Davis

When the world’s most famous feline hits the three-decade milestone it’s time to celebrate! 30 Years of Laughs & Lasagna is a tribute to this tremendous achievement. Organized by decade, each with an introduction by Jim Davis, this lavishly illustrated volume features more than four hundred strips, including thirty of Jim Davis’s all-time favorites–with informative remarks from Jim on why they made the grade. Packed with early sketches, enlightening quotes, and fun facts (did you know that the Garfield comic was originally titled Jon?), this book shows how Garfield evolved from a witty kitty to a world-renowned fat cat.

Of Jim Davis’s “little hobby,” Blondie cartoonist Dean Young writes: “Every one of [these] little treasures is an exquisite menagerie of comic timing, writing, and cartoon art. It’s easy to see why his strip is continually voted one of the best on our planet by readers everywhere.”

So if you appreciate the unparalleled splendors of layered pasta, need something to ward off those nap attacks, or have a healthy appetite for humor, 30 Years of Laughs & Lasagna is just the ticket. Perhaps Jim Davis puts it best: “This whole line of work is to make people happy and smile.” Garfield’s millions of fans couldn’t agree more.

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5 Stars Classic Humor From A Classic Strip!

It’s hard to believe that Garfield is 30 years old this year. As a long time appreciator of the cat who has come to exemplify the phrase “Couch Cat”, such retrospectives are must reads and must haves.

30 Years of Laugh and Lasagna is just that, without the bib and messy food. Davis and company break the strip down decade by decade and give prime examples why Garfield is so popular. I still laugh at the Bad potato strip even though it is so darn silly! Simple, and obvious, but that is comic strip humor at its’ best. Inbetween the humor, Davis writes short descriptions of the decades and his history. I never knew that he was Tom Ryans’ assistant on Tumbleweeds, another strip I enjoy.

The icing on the cake, the chocolate on the cookie, the peanut butter on the jam, is the 30 faves that Davis includes on the end. Davis is no one dimensional cartoonist, clearly, he even includes a dentist joke (feed the teeth!).

You’ll laugh until your lasagnas cooked.

Tim Lasiuta

5 Stars Garfield:30 years of laughs and lasagna
My son in law couldn’t wait to read the latest edition of Garfield’s adventures. He gave it high praises as his favorite Christmas present.

5 Stars It starts out with a fat orange cat . . .
I have only two favorite comic strips: Garfield and Calvin & Hobbes. I go for Calvin & Hobbes for political, social, and economic commentary (and also for Calvin’s many imaginary adventures). And I go for Garfield for pure slapstick and ironic humor. Garfield never dwelves into politics, religion, social science, or the current American economy (it did only a few times back in the 70’s and 80’s).

I admire the fat orange cat, who is really an anti-heroic anti-cat. He drinks coffee, he never chases mice, he eats Pizza and Lasagna, he watches TV all day, and now he has fun with a cellphone and the Internet. But he does eat cat food, hates dogs, sing on a fence, play with yarn, etc. And let’s not forget the rest of the cast. Dim-witted Odie and nerdy Jon Arbuckle (who now has Liz as a girlfriend) accompany Garfield throughout almost every daily strip. Liz, Pooky, Nermal, Arlene, Irma, the mail carrier, and Jon’s farm family make up the rest of the cast.

I know the comics from 2001 to present are weaker compared to the golden age of Garfield comics (the 80’s and early 90’s), but they still make me smile every time. And this book, “Garfield: 30 Years of Laughs & Lasagna” should be with every Garfield fan (whether die-hard or modest). It sums up the history of the comic’s publication, the creation of major characters, Jim Davis’s favorite strips, and more. But what happens when Garfield is no more? I doubt that this would end in a few years, but I’ll still remember the pure delight that I’ve had with the fat orange cat and his many diverse companions.

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In December 2006, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, and Kevin Smith got together on stage at UCLA to reflect, tell stories, wax philosophic and otherwise act silly in front of 1,000 comic fans to benefit The Hero Initiative, the only federally chartered not-for-profit charity that delivers assistance to comic creators in need.

So we could blackmail them all with it later, we taped it all for you: Backstage, behind the scenes, the VIP room an even 2 1/2 hours of three grown men sitting on very expensive couches talking about comic books. It’s all here, plus extras:

* Behind the scenes reel
* VIP Room footage
* Extra interviews with guests, including:
* Stan Lee
* Joe Quesada
* Kevin Smith
* Jeph Loeb
* Brian Pulido
* Commentary by Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin and others
* Edited version (for little ears)
* Backstage on onstage photo gallery
* Trailers for other related releases and events

Part of the downside of live events is that only the people near the venue can see them, said Jim McLauchlin, president of Hero Initiative.

With this DVD, everyone will have the opportunity to watch this historic, if not surrealistic, event. It had everything Stan was en fuego, Joe was eloquent and passionate, and Kevin made a lot of comments involving flatus events and male genitalia. It was both sublime and ridiculous at the same time, and I think that was the heart of its charm. And the special features are going to take the fans backstage so they can see how this kind of show comes together.

Like the live event, proceeds from the sales of the DVD go to the Hero Initiative.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good buy for the comic lover
This item went well for my friend who absolutely loves comic books. It was delievered on time and came in great condition

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The signature weapon of the hero Po from Kung Fu Panda. The imperial sword transforms from one large scale sword to a double edged saber and splits into two dynamic blades. Lights and sounds. Requires three AG13 batteries, included. Measures approximately 25″L.

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