Top 5 Comics I Look Forward To Every Month

I did some looking back at my writing recently and I came across a post from September 2020.  Yep, as the world started to explore returning to work, school, and life, I was still reveling in the solitary times of reading comics.  I posted a Top 5 Comics that I look forward to Every Month in 2020, so I took a look at my list these days in 2024 to see how things have changed.  Take a look at the 2020 list here and see how some of my top comic choices have changed over four years.  

My Top 5 Comics I look forward to reading every month:  

5. Annihilation 2099 -  Marvel Comics - I discovered this book on the shelves of my LCS with issue 2 (shown left). I know the Annihilation story of many years ago; I know the 2099 story of even more years ago, so I thought this had potential with my mind just putting two things together.  It was even better than I thought it would be.  These are one-shot stories per issue.  I don't know where it is going (besides several enticing one-shots), but I look forward to who the next issue will feature and what villain will be introduced in 2099.  

4.  The Transformers - Image Comics -  I really enjoyed the 1980's Transformers cartoons, but just couldn't get behind the Transformers movies.  I just couldn't follow the transformations in the movies.  They went too fast, and that is what was cool about the Transformers, watching them transform!  Anyway, I saw that Image Comics released a Transformers line and have connected with other titles (G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals) through the Energon Universe.  I figured I'd give it a try and boy has this been fun!  If you are/were a fan of the Transformers, this book certainly has the feel of the original.  

3.  Conan the Barbarian - Titan Comics - I was visiting with Jim Zub on my podcast Teachers in the Dungeon when Conan the Barbarian came up.  My beef with so many Conan titles in the recent past is that Conan has so much back story and baggage, that I can't tell what the heck is happening.  Who are friends and who are foes?  Then, I came across Zub's Free Comic Book Day issue introducing Conan.  I told him that his writing, while interestingly complex, really simplified the story.  I know that doesn't seem to make much sense, but I could follow what Conan was doing and the story and characters were  clear.  This book is definitely worth picking up if you haven't yet.  

2.  Geiger - Image Comics - My friend Cory was recommending some of his favorite comics to me when he mentioned the book Geiger.  He named it as one of his favorite of the year.  So, I picked it up, and I couldn't agree more.  While still early in the series, it has had its ups and downs story-wise, but overall it is interesting and enjoyable.  It is a dark future and Geiger has become infected with radiation that he can "kind of" control.  But instead of using it for evil, he chooses it to help people.  He is dangerous, but he tries to be careful to not hurt anyone.  This is a worthwhile book to check out.  

 

1.  The Amazing Spider-Man - Marvel Comics - After looking at the 2020 list, it may seem obvious that this would be my choice.  It is no secret that I am a huge Spider-man fan, but this wasn't a no brainer choice as my number one book to look forward too. All of the books above went through my head as possible number ones.  This Spider-Man book has been most excellent for about a year and a half!  The art is phenomenal and the story exceptional.  One of my gripes over the years has been the constant recycling of the same villains, but for some reason, the "old" villains have felt new or maybe more developed in this book.  If you haven't checked  Spidey in a while or you've somehow never been a fan of the web-head, this might be the time to jump on.  Issue 1000 isn't that far away.  Okay, 50 issues away, but still that isn't too far away.  I can't wait to start experiencing the build up to that Amazing Milestone!  

A New Fantasy Football League brings a New Team Name (Updated 12/16/24)

I have been playing Fantasy Sports since the late 1980s when my friends and I got permission from our math teacher on Tuesdays to go in the hall to figure our fantasy points from the baseball team stats in the USA Today.  Over the years, I've won a few seasons, had lots of promise for good seasons, but more than not, they end in disappointing seasons.  I have played Fantasy Baseball, Football, Basketball, and Nascar (I had no business in the Nascar league).  The league I have been with the longest started sometime in the early 2000's.  That is a baseball league league with guys from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States.  I didn't know most of them when we started and some guys dropped off and some have joined, but we have become good friends even though many of us have never met in person.  

The whole point of this walk down memory lane is to say, when I am asked to join a new league, I struggle mightily to say no.  That said, I joined a new football league this year, and I would like to introduce a new Fantasy Football Team: The Kamino Clone Kids in the Jedi Knights Football League.  

Here's a look at the opening week roster of the Clone Kids: 

Starters: 

QB: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

RB: Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

RB: Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

WR: Nico Collins, Houston Texans

WR: DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

TE: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburg Steelers

WR: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

WR: Brian Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars

WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

DL: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers

LB: Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

DB: Kevin Byard, Chicago Bears

Bench: 

QB: CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

RB: Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

RB: JK Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

WR: Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

LB: Bobby Okereke, New York Giants

LB: Quincy Williams, New York Jets

DB: Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I am excited for this league for a few reasons.  First, I've never played in a league where we draft individual defensive players instead of a team defense.  That is kind of fun and offers a new way to strategize both in the draft, but in the season as well.  Second, I'm in this league with some really great friends, and I think that is what it is all about, friendships.  Anyway, after week 3 the Clone Kids are looking pretty good, and headed for a clash with the only other undefeated team in the league, the Pabu Porgs managed by my very excellent friend Colby, host of The Colby Cast.  

Week 1: 1-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 177.6

Khofar Nights:  129.20

Week 2: 2-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 228.45

Mustafar Moof:  188.30

Week 3: 3-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 180.00

Kessel Revolutionaries: 167.50

Week 4: 4-0

Kamino Clone Kids: 184.50

Pabu Porgs:  181.40

Week 5: 4-1 

Crait Vulptex: 216.70

Kamino Clone Kids: 201.35

Week 6: 4-2

Ferrix Rebels: 158.75

Kamino Clone Kids: 152.15

Week 7: 5-2

Kamino Clone Kids: 222.35

Lothal Starbirds: 139.51

Week 8:  6-2

Kamino Clone Kids: 187.15

Alderaan Molators: 186.30

Week 9: 6-3

Dathomir Rancors: 236.90

Kamino Clone Kids: 222.85

Week 10: 6-4

Khofar Knights: 152.59

Kamino Clone Kids:122.55

Week 11: 7-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 204.90

Mustafar Moof: 138.60

Week 12: 8-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 175.10

Kessel Revolutionaries: 167.15

Week 13: 9-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 217.35

Pabu Porgs: 216.40

Week 14: 10-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 202.75

Crait Vulptex: 162.55

Week 15: Round 1 Playoffs 11-4

Kamino Clone Kids: 211.75

Alderaan Molators: 203.50

Week 16: Round 2 Playoffs 11-5

Dathomir Rancors: 274.45

Kamino Clone Kids: 170.80

Week 17: Third Place Game  11-6

Pabu Porgs: 

Kamino Clone Kids: 

The Kamino Clone Kids end the season in 4th place.  

The 2024 Fantasy Football Champs - Coca Cola Kids Shoot for Back-to-Back Update 12/16/24

The Coca-Cola kids, the 2024 Champions of their Fantasy Football League, are ready for a new season.  The draft is done and we head into the second week of the season with a 1-0 record.  The team this year doesn't have quite the powerhouse players as last year's team, but the Kids look to be competitive again this year.  Slow and steady is the way to win this year!  Maybe there will be a couple surprise, highlight seasons from a couple guys to push the Kids to a back-to-back championship.  

Here is the roster of the Coca Cola Kids as of Week 1:

QB - Kyler Murray, Arizona

WR - CeeDee Lamb, Dallas

WR - Puka Nacua, LA Rams

RB - Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit

RB - Raheem Mostert, Miami

TE - Sam LaPorta, Detroit

W/R/T - Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco

Q/W/R/T - Derek Carr, New Orleans

K - Jason Sanders, Miami

DEF - San Francisco

Bench:

Will Levis, QB Tennessee

Terry McLaurin, WR Washington

Calvin Ridley, WR Tennessee

Courtland Sutton, WR Denver

Jordan Addison, WR Minnesota

Trey Benson, RB Arizona

Brock Bowers, TE Las Vegas

Week 1:  1-0  "The Kids Return to Their Winning Ways in 2024"

Coca Cola Kids: 136.89

Roll Tide: 131.46

Week 2: 1-1 "The Kids Stumble in Week 2" 

The Watergirl: 180.11

Coca Cola Kids: 167.09

Week 3: 1-2 Headline: "Missing: The Coca-Cola Receiver Squad"

Rittz Boyz Blitz:  196.01

Coca Cola Kids: 125.41

Week 4: 1-3 Headline:  "Manager Goofs: Leaves 30.50 points on the bench"

Blood Sweat and Beers: 144.25

Coca Cola Kids:  143.27

Week 5: 2-3 Headline: "The Kids Bring in Lawrence to Blow Away the Opponent" 

Coca Cola Kids:  221.05

LukeIAmYourFather: 136.40

Week 6: 2-4  Headline: "Kids Shoulda Played Tyrone Tracy Jr." 

Foot Wedge Mafia: 157.90

Coca Cola Kids: 156.59

Week 7: 3-4  Headline: "The Kids Shake the Can to Blow Out the Queen"

Coca Cola Kids: 208.63

Crimson Queen: 84.70

Week 8: 4-4 Headline: "Kids Hit Their Stride to Even Their Record at 4-4"

Coca Cola Kids: 219.25

Pigskin Princess:  172.32

Week 9: 4-5  Headline: "TE Brock Bowers with Solid Performance in Loss" 

Border Czar: 160.86

Coca Cola Kids: 114.04 

The roster changes throughout the season, so here is the Week 8 Roster: 

QB - Kyler Murray, Arizona

WR - CeeDee Lamb, Dallas

WR - Terry McLaurin, Washington

RB - Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit

RB - Javonte Williams, Denver

TE - Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

W/R/T - Courtland Sutton, Denver

Q/W/R/T - Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville

K - Jake Bates, Detroit

DEF - Denver

Bench:

Bo Nix, QB Denver

Calvin Ridley, WR Tennessee

Jordan Addison, WR Minnesota

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB New York Giants

Zach Charbonnet, RB Seattle

Alexander Mattison, RB Las Vegas

Puka Nacua, LA Rams

IR:  Brandon Aiyuk, WR San Francisco

Week 10: 4-6 Headline: "Kids Struggle with the Run, Hit a Buzzsaw with Roll Tide"

Roll Tide: 201.49

Coca-Cola Kids: 170.53

Week 11: 4-7 Headline: "Bo Nix Tries to Bail out the Kids, Goff says Nope!"

The Watergirl: 205.19

Coca-Cola Kids: 187.43

Week 12: 4-8 Headline: "Blitz Ride the Back of Barkley's 70 Point Outburst to Shake the Kids"  

Ritz Boyz Blitz: 243.34

Coca-Cola Kids: 199.14

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Week 13: 5-8  Headline: "The Kids Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive with Win"  

Coca-Cola Kids: 189.29

Blood Sweat & Beers:  149.05

Week 14: "The Kids Sneak into the Playoffs with Win over LukeIAmYourFather"

Coca-Cola Kids: 198.42

LukeIAmYourFather: 141.96

Week 15 Quarterfinal:  "The Kids End the Season with a Crushing Blow from Roll Tide" 

Roll Tide: 174.26

Coca-Cola Kids: 134.98

Final Roster: 

QB: Kyler Murray, Arizona

WR: Calvin Ridley, Tennessee

WR: Jordan Addison, Minnesota

RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit

RB:  Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

TE: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas

W/R/T: Sam LaPorta, Detroit

Q/W/R/T: Bo Nix, Denver

K: Jake Bates, Detroit

DEF: Seattle

Bench

Russell Wilson, QB Pittsburg

Cee Dee Lamb, WR Dallas

Terry McLaurin, WR Washington

Courtland Sutton, WR Denver

Javonte Williams RB, Denver

Zach Charbonnet, RB Seattle

Ameer Abdullah, RB Las Vegas

Brandon Aiyuk, WR San Francisco IR

The Coca-Cola Kids end the 2024 season in sixth place.  

This post will be updated each week as the 2024/2025 Season progresses.   

My 5 Favorite Breakfasts

It should be no secret that I love breakfast.  Go back to 2021 for my post on Breakfast Cereals as proof of my love for the morning meal or at least the food from the morning meal.  As I was scarfing down a Pop-Tart at 9:45 PM one recent night, it got me thinking, what are my favorite breakfast foods.  These would be foods that are traditionally served at a morning meal, but could be eaten at any meal.  Or, any of these breakfast meals could be eaten with a nice hot cup of coffee...at any time of day.   

Here are my Top 5 Breakfasts!  

5.  Pop-Tarts!  Let's face it, Pop-Tarts are basically cookies for breakfast!  The classic Brown Sugar and Cinnamon are my favorite with the chocolate Pop-Tart with white cream filling is a super close second.  I like the frosted cherry Pop-Tarts too.  While I don't mind a generic Toaster Pastry, they aren't a Pop-Tart.  

4.  Sausage Breakfast Burrito - Yep, roll those suckers up in foil and take them on a hike or bike ride and you've got a great protein-filled and filling snack.  Even though they scream morning meal, I can eat these at any time of the day.  Please, do not put any cream sauces of any kind on my breakfast burrito.  I would take it with a dipping salsa thought.  Yum!  

 

3.  Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon with toast and jelly -  This is a classic and one of my favorite meals to make; however, I like it when my youngest daughter makes it.  She has a touch about making the eggs super fluffy (I think her secret is lots of almond milk).  I do love that when she makes this breakfast for the family, I have to flip the bacon.  I mean, the grease can hurt a little.  

2.  Cereal - I can eat cereal any day and any time of day.  I will eat sugar cereal, healthy cereal, and cereal in between.  I love cereal.  

1.  Steak and Eggs!  Okay, steak and eggs with hash browns.  What else do I need to say other than when I have steak and eggs, the eggs have to be sunny side up so the yolk spreads across the plate to get soaked up in the hash browns.  Okay, I can taste it now.  My favorite place to have steak and eggs is either at a local ma and pop restaurant or at Bob Evans Restaurant.  

Album Playthrough Project August 2024

It was a disappointing month of album listening for me.  I was happy with the quality of music I listened to, but disappointed in the number of albums I listened to.  I was, however, able to squeeze in a few albums in some free time.  

It was interesting as time was short, I found myself going to music and artists that I was familiar with.  It seemed that since I didn't have much time to listen, I didn't want to waste any of it with something that might turn out to be a dud.  Or, maybe I knew in my hectic moments that I needed certain music to lift me up and drive me forward.  I'm not sure, but here are the albums I listened to in their entirety in the month of August:  

The Nylon Curtain (1982) Billy Joel 8/15/24
Human Wheels (2005) John Mellencamp 8/22/24
Waiting for the Night (1993) Freddie Jones Band 8/28/24
All of This Life (2018) The Record Company 8/28/24
Shaken N Stirred (1985) Robert Plant 8/29/24
8/23/24 Greenwood Village, Co. (2024) Dave Matthews Band 8/30/24
The Principals of Moments (1983) Robert Plant 8/30/24
Wheels Are Turnin' (1984) REO Speedwagon 8/31/24

Best Memories: The Nylon Curtain - Billy Joel

So many car rides with friends, so many concerts, so many hours memorizing lyrics

Biggest Disappointment: Shaken N Stirred, Robert Plant

What the heck?? Synthesizers galore and not in a good way..bad experimentation.

Best Rebound/Redemption: The Principals of Moments, Robert Plant

I try not to listen to the same artist so soon after an album by the same artist, but I needed to find something to get back to believing in Robert Plant again! It worked.

Best Concert Memory: All of This Life, The Record Company

Glen Oak Park, Peoria, IL June 2019 Great night!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

Album Playthrough Project July

It was a great month of music listening in July!  Not only did I listen to a whole bunch of albums, but I am really excited about the variety of music I was able to consume.  July was a good example of what I envisioned when I started this project because I wanted to experience a variety of artists' albums in their entirety.  Here are the albums I was able to listen to in July: 

Little Shop of Horrors (2003) Cast Album 7/1/24
Night On the Town (1990) Bruce Hornsby and the Range 7/2/24
Night Moves (1976) Bob Seger 7/3/24
The New Abnormal (2020) The Strokes 7/3/24
The Captain and Me (1973) The Doobie Brothers 7/12/24
Greatest Hits (1998) DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince 7/14/24
City Music (2017) Chris Morby 7/14/24
Older (2024) Lizzy McAlpine 7/16/24
Crowded House (1986) Crowded House 7/16/24
American Idiot (2006) Green Day 7/16/24
Go Slow Down (1993) The DoBeans 7/19/24
Dizzy Up the Girl (1998) Goo Goo Dolls 7/20/24
Quadrophenia (1973) The Who 7/20/24
Are You Experienced (1967) The Jimi Hendrix Experience 7/21/24
Dierks Bentley (2003) Dierks Bentley 7/21/24
Imploding the Mirage (2020) The Killers 7/21/24
Whatever and Ever Amen (1997) BenFolds Five 7/21/24
The Stranger (1977) Billy Joel 7/21/24
Music from Big Pink (1968) The Band 7/21/24
Some EP (2024) Deadmau5 7/22/24
90125 (1983) Yes 7/22/24
Top Gun Soundtrack (1989) Various artists 7/23/24
Invisible Touch (1986) Genesis 7/24/24
Storm Front (1989) Billy Joel 7/24/24
A Matter of Trust the Bridge to Russia Live in Moscow (2014) Billy Joel 2014 7/24/24
Good Thing (2018) Leon Bridges 8/24/24
Les Miserables (1987) original Broadway Cast 7/25/24
The Best Worst-Case Scenario (2006) Fair 7/26/24
Hamilton Mixtape (2016) Various Artists 7/27/24
Morrison Hotel (1970) The Doors 7/29/24
The World's Most Dangerous Party (2010) Paul Shaffer 7/29/24

Best Memories: Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix -

I did a deep dive into discovering Jimi when I was in college. This brought back stories and thoughts of friends I hadn't thought about in a very long time.

Biggest Surprise: City Music, Chris Morby -

Big, honest music in this album. Morby is quickly becoming a favorite artist.

Biggest Disappointment: The World's Most Dangerous Party, Paul Shaffer

Um...I have no idea what to say. This wasn't the Paul that I knew as musical host of David Letterman.

Perfect Moment to Listen: Good Thing, Leon Bridges

Any time you put this album on, it will be the perfect time. Super chill and funky

Most Fun: Greatest Hits, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince -

What can I say, it was a blast!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

My Top 5 Gen Con Moments

Gen Con is a massive gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This year was my third time attending the convention, and I learn something new each year which makes the next year even better.  It is the second time that I have presented at the Trade Day, attended by librarians, educators and gaming entrepreneurs including game designers, and game store owners the day before the convention opens.  I presented with my friend and Teachers in the Dungeon podcast cohost Dan Reem as we discussed strategies to integrate game stores, schools, and public libraries in building gaming communities.  The presentation went well, and like the previous year, we gained a good amount of insight from our audience.  

It was a great way to start the convention.  Then, Thursday morning came and there were 4 full days of a gaming convention!  Here are my Top 5 moments of the 2024 Gen Con: 

5. Hanging out with friends:  I was fortunate to attend the convention with my good friends Dan and Marc who are a part of D&D games that I play at home, and we also work together.  We had time to hang out with our friend Adam Watson of Kentucky Educators for Role Playing Games.  We played game demos, ate at the food trucks, played a little pinball, and walked the show floor looking at new games and art.  I also had the opportunity to visit with Michael Witwer, co-author of Art and Arcana; Margaret Weis, co-author of  DragonLance; listener, Gabriel from Bucky Productions; Dan Crawford of Kings and Cabbages; Ryan Calhoun of Cephlopod Studios and more.  Meeting up with friends is quickly becoming a top reason to attend Gen Con. 

4. Starfinder by Paizo:  In 2023, I had the opportunity to play a Starfinder game which was an enjoyable experience and kept me interested in this RPG system.  I purchased the core rule book and the beginner box.  So, in 2024, I signed up for another game, but this year, I used the beginner box to create a character for the game.  I sat down Thursday morning at 8:00am for a 5 hour gaming session, and I had a wonderful time.  The game was led by an experienced GM from Salt Lake City, and I played with two young men from southern Indiana.  The boys hadn't played Starfinder before, but were experienced D&D players.  We all had a great time learning the system, and our GM was super patient in helping us to have fun and learn the game.  I am a believer and happy to find a science fiction RPG I enjoy.  I went to the Paizo booth later that afternoon and continued to build my Starfinder collection of books.  

3. My new favorite game:  In 2023, I visited the Czech Games HQ where they host their store, demos, and game playthroughs.  I played Galaxy Truckers, which I love, but I had my eye on a new game titled The Lost Runes of Arnak.  I never had a chance to play Arnak in 2023, so I had to wait another year to try this out.  On Thursday night in 2024, I finally had the chance to learn how to play The Lost Runes of Arnak, and it has quickly become my favorite game to play!  Besides the cool archeology theme, I love the combination of worker placement and deck building.  I had a chance to play this game several times (see Moment #2).  This is a highly recommended game if you are in the market.  

2. Late-night games:  We were fortunate in 2024 to have an onsite hotel room which was a first for us.  This opens up several opportunities for evening activities in addition to a chance for downtime during the day.  We discovered the open gaming area where players can play games all hours of the day and night.  It was here that we played The Lost Ruins of Arnak in addition to Grand River Glass works.  Dan, Marc, Adam and I all played late into the night Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.  This open gaming room is where the essence of Gen Con is realized.  

1. 50 Years of Dungeons and Dragons:  This by far was the highlight of 2024.  There were many activities with the creators and stars of Wizards of the Coast.  I attended the 50 Years of D&D in history books with Michael Witwer, David Ewalt, Jon Peterson and Ben Riggs moderated by Matt Forbeck.  This was a great discussion of many turning points of the game through the years.  The United States Post Office was on hand to release the D&D stamp set which went on sale Thursday, August 1.  I was also able to secure a ticket to pick up the 2024 Players Handbook which was offered for sale a month prior to its general release.  D&D also had a massive presence throughout the entire convention with live plays, a ballroom of games, and several panel sessions.  

This convention is an amazing spectacle of table-top gaming.  If you plan to attend in 2025, be sure to secure your badge early as the 2024 convention was completely sold out.