Thursday, October 31, 2019

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019!!!!

Happy Halloween everybody! Hope it's full of frights, candy and lots of fun!!! Can't wait to go out with my kids this year! Each year my girls and wife go as a unit. This year the girls will be characters from the Disney movie "Descendants" and my wife will be Maleficent. Can you guess what me and my son are going as?

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Comic Book Pick 10/30/19

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
MARVEL ZOMBIES RESURRECTION #1
THE HORROR SMASH-HIT LIVES AGAIN! When Galactus' corpse appears at the edge of Earth's solar system, the Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four investigate. Too late, they discover that Galactus' body is now the vessel of an interstellar terror, which one-by-one transforms Earth's Mightiest Heroes into the universe's most terrifying predators! As our heroes try to escape the superpowered, cannibalistic aberrations that were once their friends and family, will any survive? And even if they do, can they hope to protect Earth from the infestation that has already claimed half of the known universe? Don't miss the FIRST ISSUE of this terrifying new vision of the classic Marvel tale!
(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) In-Hyuk Lee
SRP: $4.99
Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com 

Monday, October 28, 2019

Throwback Jam of the Week: 10/28/19

Throw on your Gold Chains and head to The Hood as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: Domino feat. Chill
Song: Tales From The Hood
Album:  Tales From The Hood: Soundtrack (1995)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A
Bonus Fun Fact: The video for this song features cameos by actress Paula Jai-Parker, E-40 & MC Eiht. The soundtrack for "Tales From The Hood" went gold in the United States.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Halloween Comicfest 2019

Tomorrow is Halloween Comicfest! Don't know what Halloween Comicfest is? Here is a quick rundown: In 2012 Diamond Distributors started the Halloween Comicfest event. This event is similar to Free Comic Book Day. Kids dress up in there costumes and are given free comics at their local comic shop. Even if you are not a kid trick or treating for comics is still allowed for the adult collectors. Each comic given away has some sort of Halloween twist to it and range in ratings from Mature to All-Ages. My kids and myself love this promotion, not only because it gives them an extra day to go out and show off their costumes but because it is FREE! My family will be attending and these are the comics I am most excited to pick up!
 STAR WARS: BOBA FETT #1
THE HUNTER'S HEART!  As the implacable bounty hunter who tracked down HAN SOLO, BOBA FETT earned his reputation as one of the greatest villains in the galaxy.   But what happens when Boba Fett picks up the trail of an actual villain?  Find out what kind of heart - if any - beats under that MANDALORIAN armor!
(W) Greg Pak (A) Marc Laming
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS METROPOLIS HIGH
When Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Green Lantern, Bumblebee, and Zatanna are continually late to class because of their crime-fighting, they are sentenced to finding an after-school club for a whole week ... or else they'll be suspended! But finding a club is not as easy as it looks, and when the girls keep finding themselves kicked out of the clubs they like, they must think outside of the box and go outside their comfort zones to avoid suspension. This first chapter from the DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: AT METROPOLIS HIGH graphic novel is perfect for ages 6-10 and a great entry point into the DC Universe.
 IRON MAN ROAD TO IRON MAN 2020 #1
The Road to IRON MAN 2020 starts here!  From the cusp of tomorrow's dreams to the forefront of imagination, one man always soars on the cutting edge of adventure! You know his name. Tony Stark is Iron Man.  And Iron Man...is an idea. Always changing. Always evolving. An idea without limit!  The future is now. Strap in!
(W) Dan Slott (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Alexander Lozano
 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #0
Showcasing Miles first appearance from Ultimate Comics Fallout #4! The Ultimate Universe's Peter Parker is dead, felled by a bullet and his arch-nemesis the Green Goblin. But though the teenage web-slinger is gone, his memory lives on with the introduction of the new Spider-Man - Miles Morales!
(W) Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer (A) Mark Bagley, Sara Pichelli, More
 HCF 2019 USAGI YOJIMBO
Join Usagi as he faces off against a rather unusual- and monstrous- adversary! This free spooky tale featuring everyone's favorite rabbit samurai is sure to delight trick-or-treaters of all ages!
(W) Stan Sakai (A/CA) Stan Sakai
A lot of comic shops go all out during this event and put on costume contests, invite special guests and giveaway fun prizes. My comic shop will just be giving away the comics, which is still okay by me. To see if your local comic shop is holding an event, check Halloween Comicfest news or see all of the comics being given away this year visit www.HalloweenComicfest.com!

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Comic Book Pick 10/23/19

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
AMAZING MARY JANE #1
One lucky lady just hit the jackpot with her own series - THE AMAZING MARY JANE #1 by writer Leah Williams and artist Carlos Gomez will bow this October, putting the spotlight on the love of Peter Parker's life! But if Spider-history has taught us anything, such a position is rarely a good one and usually spells trouble! In a story spinning from the pages of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25, Mary Jane Watson just got her big shot - but at what cost? And can she really trust anyone as she pursues her Hollywood dreams? Mary Jane is no stranger to drama, so you can be sure that THE AMAZING MARY JANE will be offering up action, glamor, grit, and even a little sass in this new ongoing series, coming in October!
(W) Leah Williams (A) Carlos E. Gomez (CA) Humberto Ramos
SRP: $3.99
Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com 

Monday, October 21, 2019

Throwback Jam of the Week: 10/21/19

Throw on your Parachute Pants and head to Cemetery Ridge as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: MC Hammer
Song: The Addams Groove
Album:  The Addams Family: Soundtrack (1991)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: 7
Bonus Fun Fact: This song was Hammer's last top 10 hit in the U.S. The video features cameos by most of the cast of the Addams Family movie. This video played before the Addams Family movie during it's first few weeks in theaters.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Ranking Monster Cereals

First off I want to say that I don't think any of the General Mills Monster cereals are bad, I just prefer some over the others. Also, I will not be ranking Fruity Yummy Mummy or Fruit Brute since they were pulled from shelves decades ago. That being said, here is a quick history lesson on the delicious Halloween breakfast cereals! The line of Monster Cereals were first introduced in 1971 and included only Count Chocula and Frankenberry. In 1973 Boo Berry was added to the lineup followed by Frute Brute in 1974 & Fruity Yummy Mummy in 1987. Frute Brute was discontinued in 1982 to make room for Mummy which was discontinued in 1992. Both were revived for a short time in 2013. Honestly, I can't recall seeing either of these now discontinued cereal on store shelves in the 80s or 90s, so I don't feel I can accurately rank them! Well, anyway on to the list of current Monster Cereals!
Boo Berry
I really enjoy the taste of Boo Berry Cereal which is strange because I don't really like blue berries at all! Maybe that's why this sweet cereal is my favorite. Unlike Frankenberry and Count Chocula, the only time of the year that I get that delicious artificial blue berry flavor is in the fall with Boo Berry cereal. I can find strawberry candy, syrup and deserts all year round the same goes for chocolate. I remember growing up as a kid and Boo Berry would only sporadically be on the shelves. This limited release schedule may also be a part of why I prefer Boo Berry over the others?
Count Chocula
There are a million chocolate flavored cereals in stores from Coco-Puffs to Cocoa Pebbles, but none of these cereals quite tastes like Count Chocula. Maybe it's the mix of chocolate cereal mixed with chocolate marshmallows or maybe it's the awesome tasting chocolate milk you get after finishing your bowl. Whatever it is it is exquisite. I remember seeing the Count on shelves all year round as a kid. He was always staring back at me when I was in the cereal aisle along with other great American heroes like Cap'N Crunch and Sugar Bear. This year round treatment ended in 2010 when General Mills decided to make monster cereal a Halloween exclusive food. I feel this was a smart move as you come to appreciate something more, when it is not available all the time!
Frankenberry
It's not a bad thing when your least favorite type of monster cereal is still tasty. Frankenberry is a solid go to cereal this time of year, but I find it's taste a little less sweet than Boo Berry or Count Chocula. Once again, I feel my indulgence in other strawberry flavored snack treats throughout the year may dull my senses to the flavors in Frankenberry. I do enjoy the strawberry milk you get to enjoy at the end of each serving though.
There it is, my rankings of the recent lineup of Monster Cereals. Which one is your favorite? There are no wrong answers because we all are winners as long as there are grocery store shelves filled with boxes featuring food based monsters. Hope you get to enjoy some this year. Now take a peek at an awesome 90s commercial featuring Igor the guard spider!  

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Comic Book Pick 10/16/19

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
MASK: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #1 (OF 4)
The best-selling comic series that inspired the blockbuster film returns with gruesome hilarity from the showrunner of AMC's Halt and Catch Fire and Hellboy's Patric Reynolds. Years ago, a weird mask of unknown origin and limitless power was buried in the cement of an apartment building's basement floor. Edge City and its residents have all but forgotten the mysterious green-faced killer known only as "Big Head." But now, decades later, the bizarre Tex Avery-style killings are happening all over again and are on a collision course with a bizarre political campaign where a homicidal maniac wants to "Make America Green Again"!  
(W) Christopher Cantwell (A/CA) Patric Reynolds
SRP: $3.99
Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com 

Monday, October 14, 2019

Throwback Jam of the Week: 10/14/19

Throw on your Shades and Leather Jacket and head to the Treehouse as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: The Monster Squad
Song: Monster Squad Rap
Album:  The Monster Squad: Soundtrack (1987)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A
Bonus Fun Fact: This song was never officially released as a single and has never had an official music video shot. This song was played over the credits of the movie "The Monster Squad" upon it's release in 1987.

Friday, October 11, 2019

How I was banned from an iconic horror movie location...

I know I have probably mentioned that I grew up in Hope, NJ a million times on this blog and I am proud of that fact. For those who don't know, Hope was one of the filming locations used in the original Friday The 13th movie in 1980. I loved growing up there. One of the locations used for filming was Hartung's General Store also know as Skip's.
In the film the general store was the place where Annie goes to ask directions to Camp Crystal Lake. Everyone looks at her like she is crazy, because that's what locals do and she goes on her way to be killed by Jason's mom. The inside of the store looked pretty much the same from what I remember and changed little over the years.
Skip Hartung was the owner of the general store and was a very nice guy. I remember him always being there helping my Dad get his Pick-6 lottery tickets and newspapers with a smile. In my early years I would go there to get Ninja Turtles comics, Garbage Pail Kids cards, Gatorade and Bubble Tape! But as we got older it became a place to grab drinks, get D batteries for our boom boxes and flirt with the girls behind the counter and that's where the trouble started...
It was around 1998 and I was 17, there was a girl I went to high school with and I would visit her while she worked at the general store as often as possible. I would get some food and sometimes a shake and would just sit there and chat. One of these times, me being a stupid teenager, I scratched my name into the old wooden counter top in the store! 
So, of course the next time I went to visit this girl, I was told I was not allowed into the store by Skip's request. I totally understand why. It was a stupid thing to do and I realize that now, but at the time I thought it was dumb. I persistently pleaded my case and said that I was set up by someone who must have it in for me and eventually I was allowed back into the store. That was the kind of guy Skip was, forgiving and friendly until the day he passed away in 2012.
The current owners of Hartung's General Store have turned it into an antique store, but if you look at the windows you can still see some of the old signage from when it was an awesome piece of horror movie history and an amazing part of my life.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Comic Book Pick 10/9/19

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
JOKER YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1
In the Year of the Villain, what's a Clown Prince of Crime to do when the world has started to accept doing bad as the only way to live? Out-bad everyone else, of course! The Joker is on a mission to get his mojo back and prove to the world that there is no greater villainy than the kind that leaves you laughing. This special one-shot is co-written by legendary film auteur John Carpenter (The Thing, Halloween) and Anthony Burch (the Borderlands video games), making for a Joker comic that's twisted in ways you never imagined!
(W) John Carpenter, Anthony Burch (A/CA) Philip Tan, Marc Deering
SRP: $4.99
Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com 

Monday, October 7, 2019

Throwback Jam of the Week: 10/7/19

Throw on your Brown Jumpsuits and head to the Fire Station as we take you back! Without further ado, here is the 20 Years Before 2000 THROWBACK JAM OF THE WEEK...
Artist: Run DMC
Song: Ghostbusters
Album:  Ghostbusters II: Soundtrack (1989)
Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position: N/A
Bonus Fun Fact: This song is a remix of the original "Ghostbusters" song by Ray Parker Jr. The video features cameos by Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson.

Friday, October 4, 2019

Voo Dew!!!

I finally found some of this Halloween season's big promotional carbonated drink known as VooDew!!! I had been looking for it for some time now, but just recently spotted some in the cold drinks coolers at the front of the checkout lines at Target.
I know I am a little late to the game on this one, but I am still excited to give this mystery flavor a try! I waited a few days to open this bottle up so my kids and wife could try it too. I wanted to get their thoughts on the flavor and this is what we came up with...
Upon tasting this ghostly white soda I felt that it tasted like vanilla with a hint of citrus to it. Overall not a bad flavor. I have heard some people saying that it tastes like candy corn. I didn't think so, but I can see how they would think that. 2 of my 3 kids tried it and they said vanilla, kind of like a orange creamsicle. My 3rd child doesn't like carbonation, but she smelled it and said it was like a minty flavor. I think she is way off! My wife was pretty adamant that she tasted the flavors of a caramel apple.
I researched online if Mountain Dew had revealed what the actual flavor of Voo Dew is, but as of this writing I have not seen any answers. I think it is a really fun idea to do these kinds of promotional foods/drinks because everyone has different taste buds and everyone has their own opinion on the flavors. It gives us something to talk about and debate until we ultimately find out what it truly is and we all see how wrong we were! Have you tried Voo Dew yet? If so, what do you think the mystery flavor is? Let us know in the comments below and let's discuss! In the spirit of the season, enjoy this commercial for another Halloween themed soda from Mountain Dew, Pitch Black from 2004!

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Comic Book Pick 10/2/19

This week the comic book I am most excited to read is...
SPIDER-VERSE #1
Miles Morales finally feels like he GETS this Spider-Man stuff... and then falls through a portal! But isn't the WEB OF LIFE & DESTINY destroyed? Maybe not, True Believer. But who spun this new web? Regardless, Miles finds himself at the center of a multiversal adventure that will feature a who's who of creators and characters as the series spins forward! And each issue features #SPIDERSONAS from some of the biggest Spidey fans and comic creators both!
(W) Jed MacKay (A) Juan Frigeri, Art Adams, More (CA) Wendell Dalit
SRP: $3.99
Synopsis Provided By: PreviewsWorld.com