From 2003-2007, I produced the monthly email newsletter, "All the GEEK That’s Fit To Print" that kept subscribers to my GeekConfidential e-group appraised of my monthly happenings. As part of my missives, I also recounted what I was currently reading. Perhaps the most mentioned aspect of the newsletter appeared under this heading: And since what I’m reading in the bathroom fascinates many of you
With the advent of the Geek Curmudgeon blog, the newsletter became redundant and so I let it fall by the wayside, but what books are currently in my bathroom continues to fascinate, so I’ve decided to resurrect that part of the newsletter under the heading of "Readings From the Throne Room" as a regular monthly feature here at The Geek Curmudgeon.
Without further ado, here’s the current reading contents in my bathroom:
Intergalactic Nemesis Program Book
Brandy and I were lucky enough to catch the Long Center performance of the radio play Intergalactic Nemesis. (Thanks, Martin!) Scripted and directed by Jason Neulander, the story uses the traditional set-up of actors reading lines and a foley artist producing sound effects, but with the addition of Tim Doyle’s sequential art projected above the actors, which gives a new dimension to the tale. I had seen the first two acts at STAPLE! but not the extraordinary full length production. Can’t wait to see more from Neulander and Doyle.
At the production we picked the program book which discussed the project, their creators, and forthcoming Long Center events. Not surprisingly ,it made its way into the throne room.
Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s
Edited by Greg Sadowski and John Benson
A collection of obscure pre-code 1950s horror comics with art by Jack Cole, Reed Crandall, George Evans, Frank Frazetta, Jack Katz, Al Williamson, Basil Wolverton, and Wallace Wood? Story notes and an essay about Ruth Roche further sweeten the deal. It doesn’t really get much better than this. Plus each story is short (5-10 pp), ideal for a bathroom read!
The Bronx is Burning: 1977, Baseball, Politics, and the Battle for the Soul of a City
by Jonathan Mahler
Mahler’s intriguing book chronicles the tumultuous 1977 of NYC with the Yankees run for the pennant at its crux. Very well written, The Bronx Is Burning will appeal to baseball fans and fans of sociological history in general. This highly recommended book is sure to graduate soon to my bedside table.
(The ESPN mini-series, while good, barely scratched the surface.)
Dr. Strange Vs. Dracula: The Montesi Formula
Written by Marv Wolfman, Steve Englehart, and Roger Stern
Art by Gene Colan, Dan Green, and Steve Leialoha
Every Labor Day weekend, the legendary Austin Books, recently named one of the top ten comic books shops in the country, has a graphic novel sale. The literally thousands of titles all for half or more off makes it one of my favorite weekends of the year. At this years event, I purchased five graphic novels including the Dr. Strange mentioned above.
The Montesi Formula, collecting Dr. Strange #14, #58-62 and Tomb of Dracula #44, recounts the origins of vampirism in the Marvel Universe through several Dr. Strange-Dracula encounters. I originally owned the individual comics but long ago got rid of them. The beautiful stories hold up fairly well and reminded me why at one time Dr. Strange was one of my favorite characters.
And of course issues of Wired, Mental Floss, MSFocus, Momentum, and Moving Pictures magazines.