These aren’t the Muppets you were looking for – but these puppets sure are a fun alternative!

My generation grew up watching Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser and Jim Henson’s Muppets on television.  Things are a little different now with Harris’s breakout role being the womanizer Barney Stinson on the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother” and the Jim Henson Company has a division called “Henson Alternative” that provides puppet productions for “adult” entertainment. This transition has led  us now to Neil Patrick Harris and Henson Alternative teaming up with the Nerdist youtube channel to create a new edgy puppet show that you definitely shouldn’t watch with your kids – but which is a hilarious time out for us grownups.

NEIL’s PUPPET DREAMS takes you into the mind of Neil Patrick Harris when he falls asleep.  In the show, his “dreams” all take place in a puppet world, animated by the Jim Henson Company, and involve raunchy humor, sex jokes, and slapstick antics.  New episodes are posted on Tuesdays by the Nerdist Channel that can be viewed via youtube:

In 2004, the Jim Henson Company sold the rights to the Muppets to the Walt Disney Company, who now own all Muppet-related trademarks including the word “Muppet.”  Henson has been working to continue its puppetry and animation history by developing new brands to entertain both children and adults.  For younger audiences they have reinvigorated Fraggle Rock and created new shows such as Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid, Pajaminals, Unstable Fables, and TheDoozers.  They’ve also expanded with “Henson Alternative” to utilize puppetry to provide mature comedy content to audiences who grew up watching Sesame Street.  They have produced Puppet Up! – Uncensored a live improv show which has also been featured on a television special and web-series on TBS.com.  During the 2012 elections, Henson Alternative was the puppet master behind the third-party presidential candidacy of Marvin E. Quasniki ( which I wrote about in an earlier post ) the Turquoise farmer from Tonopah, Nevada.

Now, Henson Alternatives has teamed up with Neil Patrick Harris, who displays his Harold & Kumar side in this production, and The Nerdist (which features all things involving geeky entertainment through their website Nerdist.com, a premium YouTube channel (youtube.com/nerdist), the Nerdist News daily e-newsletters, 1.7 million Twitter fans and a podcast network which is also produced as a TV show on BBC America) for this wacky carnival side show of a web-series called NEIL’S PUPPET DREAMS.  Check out this episode which features Neil falling asleep at a diner and how the puppets take over the joint in his dreams:

If you enjoy old-school Eddie Murphy standup and Three Stooges comedy skits than you’ll probably get a chuckle from this new puppet-based web show.  I just wouldn’t watch it with the kids around!

Daddy Vader … Part Deux

Last Father’s Day, I reviewed cartoonist Jeffrey Brown’s fun and entertaining book “Darth Vader & Son” that portrays Darth Vader as a doting daddy to his son Luke Skywalker.  I’m a big fan of Gary Larson’s “FAR SIDE” comics and Brown’s work reminds me of those sketches but set in the Star Wars universe with a touch of inspiration from Norman Rockwell added to the mix. CLICK HERE to read my previous post on DARTH VADER & SON. 

The success of “Darth Vader & Son” has led to a sequel … “Darth Vader’s Little Princess” that will be out in time for Father’s Day 2013.  This book takes a comedic look at being the dad of a daughter through cartoons featuring the Dark Lord of the Sith interacting with Star Wars’ Princess Leia.

Brown’s publisher, Chronicle Books, describes “Darth Vader’s Little Princess” as:

irresistibly funny follow-up to the breakout bestseller Darth Vader and Son, Vader—Sith Lord and leader of the Galactic Empire—now faces the trials, joys, and mood swings of raising his daughter Leia as she grows from a sweet little girl into a rebellious teenager. Smart and funny illustrations by artist Jeffrey Brown give classic Star Wars moments a twist by bringing these iconic family relations together under one roof. From tea parties to teaching Leia how to fly a TIE fighter, regulating the time she spends talking with friends via R2-D2's hologram, and making sure Leia doesn't leave the house wearing only the a skirted metal bikini, Vader's parenting skills are put hilariously to the test.

“Darth Vader’s Little Princess” will be out May 1, 2013 but you can purchase advance orders now at a discounted price through Amazon.com before the books hit retailers’ shelves.  I give “Darth Vader & Son” an enthusiastic thumbs up and am really looking forward to this sequel…hint hint this would be a great father’s day present for the Geek Daddy!

If you are still gift wrapping these last few days before Christmas, Chronicle Books has provided some amusing gift tags that will be sure to thrill the Star Wars fans in your life.  Click on the image below or click here to download.

Book Review: MOUSE GUARD

Dave Peterson was courteous to recently sit down with me for an interview about his highly successful comic book series, MOUSE GUARD, which has won two Eisner Awards for the categories of "Best Publication for Kids" & "Best Graphic Album".  MOUSE GUARD  is somewhat like "The Secret of NIHM" and "The Rescuers" movies that I enjoyed as a child, but as a print format set in medieval times where intelligent mice with the characteristics of humans struggle to survive against the challenges of predators and harsh conditions.  They really are fun books to read and enjoy with your kids! Dave Peterson who is both the writer and illustrator provides us with great art work along with stories that are written so they are interesting to entertain both young audiences and their parents so that you can enjoy these adventures together with your children.

You don't need to be a comic book fan to enjoy these books and they are easy to spot at your local book or comic store because they stand out on the shelves with a unique design.  Archaia Studios Press publishes the books in a unique square 8 x 8 format versus the standard 6 1/2 x 10 comic book format.  If you are looking to promote an interest in art and share some adventurous good times with your kids, I highly encourage you to check out the MOUSE GUARD comics or graphic novels.

For more information about MOUSE GUARD, visit www.mouseguard.net or follow Dave Peterson on twitter @mouseguard 

Book Review: THE GIRL WHO CANNOT EAT PEANUT BUTTER

It’s that time of year again … the beginning of school.  As a parent of a young daughter with a severe peanut allergy it is always a period of anxiety as you hope your child won’t be exposed to a life-threatening situation while she’s out of your care.  Two of my wife & I’s biggest concerns are parents bringing in snacks for the kids that aren’t safe or a friendly classmate sharing their lunch not understanding the risks that eating the wrong thing could present to our child. 

Sharon Chisvin has written a cute book addressing peanut allergies that I would recommend every class room, day care, and public library that has a children’s circle time keep on their reading list.  THE GIRL WHO CANNOT EAT PEANUT BUTTER may be a short read at 19 pages but it has a big message in helping children understand that their friends with food allergies need them to be considerate and it isn’t something to tease about.  Charming sketches by illustrator Carol Leszcz and prose by Chisvin that is portrayed in rhyme makes the book an enjoyable and educational read for youngsters as well as for those who are young at heart.

I’ve often found that people consider food allergies at the same level as nasal allergies like hay fever.  Many people just don’t understand how easily it is for someone to die or be seriously hurt by going into anaphylactic shock from a food allergy reaction because they think it will just cause a runny nose or a rash.  So I was a little concerned by the warning given in the book about if Sam, THE GIRL WHO CANNOT EAT PEANUT BUTTER, was to have an allergic reaction:

If Sam ate peanuts she wouldn’t feel well

Her tummy would hurt and her tongue might swell

Her eyes would get itchy and her throat would scratch

And she might break out in a terrible rash

Despite that critique, I thought of the audience this book is aimed at preschool to grade school children and realized that you don’t want to scare these kids but rather inform them on being considerate to that girl of boy who is unique in their class.  I also appreciated the underlying theme of the book that everyone is unique in some way and being different isn’t bad because it can provide benefits like “those tasty lunches she always brings …”

Peanut allergies are on the rise and it is more and more likely that if you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver of young children you are going to encounter difficulties created by food allergies.  The best way to handle these situations is with compassion and consideration, a message shared in this book, which is why as a peanut allergy dad I highly recommend it as a learning tool for children and the adults who care for them.

You can purchase THE GIRL WHO CANNOT EAT PEANUT BUTTER on Amazon.com as a paperback book for $9.95  or for Kindle at $3.95:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-Cannot-Peanut-Butter/dp/0988010402

I received a complimentary copy of THE GIRL WHO CANNOT EAT PEANUT BUTTER to review but the thoughts and opinions in this book review are my own.

For more information on Peanut Allergies please watch this video featuring children's allergy specialist Devang Doshi from Beaumont Health System:

A Dad's Perspective on Madagascar3

Despite a summer filled with some really exciting blockbuster movies there really is a void this year in flicks that parents with non-teen children can feel comfortable taking their kids to enjoy.  Fortunately, Madagascar 3 has hit theaters and it’s a fun romp of an adventure that will amuse kids and kids at heart alike.

We recently saw the movie with our twin 3 year olds and it thrilled the kids.  In fact, I was pretty engrossed with it as well.  My wife left during the movie to use the restroom and I didn’t even realize it until she mentioned something on the car ride home.  All the children in the audience appeared to be excited by the animals that are the stars of the show and enjoy the slap stick comedy that is a cornerstone of the Madagascar series of movies.  Don’t worry though, you can never have seen the first two movies and completely enjoy this chapter by itself.  In addition to the onscreen antics of some mischievous monkeys & penguins and comedic  adventures of Alex the Lion and his band of friends, there are some very hilarious jokes aimed at the adults in the audience that probably go over the head of most kids as not to offend and keep the movie family-friendly.   And that’s no Bolshevik!  (You’ll get this last line if you watch the movie – one of the best one-liners of the show that had every adult in the theater cracking up)

The movie is in 3D and I was impressed by the graphics.  In many of the 3D movies I’ve seen so far the effects add more dimension than in your face special effects.  Madagascar 3 is in your face!  My daughter was constantly reaching out to grasp at animals that appeared to be within arms grasp and yelling out WOW! throughout the movie.  One thing to note though is that wearing the 3D glasses can be a little tiresome for young kids and I noticed many of the children in the audience that appeared to be preschool/kindergarten age were taking them off by the last half hour or so of the show, including my two.  Despite that, I would still encourage you to check out the 3D versus the 2D version of the film just for the WOW factor alone of the film’s special effects.

Madagascar 3 characters travel from Africa to Monte Carlo and across Europe from Italy and London.  The show incorporates a new cast of characters and adventures through introducing a circus theme that really works well.  One of the final circus acts really highlights the 3D technology and cartoon features of the movie to the backdrop of Katie Perry’s “Fireworks” making for a really incredible experience. 

If you are a parent with younger children looking for a good family-friendly show to go see this summer, I highly recommend a trip to Madagascar 3.

DISCLAIMER:  I received free tickets from Paramount Pictures to see Madagascar 3 with my family.  The views and opinions in this blog post though are entirely my own.

The Scariest Moment of My Life: The Day my Daughter went into Anaphylactic Shock

Every 3 minutes across the United States someone is admitted to an Emergency Room for a food allergy reaction.  My family experienced that trauma 18 months ago when my daughter spent three days at the hospital as we dealt with a life-threatening situation brought on by a severe food allergy.  This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week and I wanted to share our story.

18 months ago I was spending the day at home taking care of my 18 month old twins.  My wife had suggested that I give them some peanut butter for lunch that morning because she had heard about more kids having peanut allergies than when we were younger and preferred that if something happened one of us was with our children versus them being at day care, taken care of by a babysitter, or spending time with one of their grandparents.  We weren’t that concerned because no one on either side of our family has food allergies but wanted to be safe.  We were so lucky that we were cautious!

At lunch time I cut up some banana slices and placed a tiny bit of peanut butter on them for the twins to eat. I gave them first to my son who LOVED them! Fifteen minutes went by without a problem and he was asking for more.  With a feeling of relief that there didn’t appear to be any problems, I gave him some more slices and handed a few to my daughter.

About a minute later that is when trouble happened!   My daughter started screaming hysterically and pulling at the skin on her face.  Dark red hives began appearing across her body.  I went to get some Benadryl and call me wife at work.  No Answer!  Just a couple minutes later I could see my daughter’s eyes and nose starting to swell up.  Do I call 911? Do I make a run to the Emergency Room at the hospital just a few miles down the road?  I grabbed my keys and rushed with my kids to the car! 

Five minutes later I pulled up to the entrance of the ER like a bat out of hell.  The security guard at the door asked what I needed as I was unbuckling my daughter from her car seat but as he saw her just said “Oh my God! Let me help!”  My daughter’s eyes at this point had completely swelled shut. He grabbed my son and yelled out "follow me".  We ran through the ER each with a kid in hand as he gave an alert on his radio for the pediatric care unit to be prepared.  A swarm of doctors enveloped us as they connected her with an IV of life saving medication, put an oxygen tube down her throat which was now swelling shut, and checked out her vitals.  A nurse backed me away from the gurney telling me everything was going to be alright and sat me and my son in chair set back out of the doctors’ way.  The adrenaline began to fade and was replaced with a feeling of helplessness as there was nothing that I could do to help and deep stabbing pains of guilt knowing that I had given my daughter the food that put her here in the ER. I was raised with the attitude that guys don’t cry but I started to weep.

A little while later, my wife burst into the curtained area where we were at, having gotten my voice mail alerting her to the situation.  The look on her face seeing our little girl lying in a hospital bed connected to a bunch of tubes is burned into my head.  It is something I hope I never have to witness again in my life.  We were informed that my daughter wasn’t reacting as well as they would like to the medication and needed to stay in the ER until she was stabilized.  We spent twenty-four hours there and were transported to a regular hospital room for more treatment the next day once she had fully responded to all the medications and was on the road to recovery.  They kept her one more day after that for observation.  Fortunately, everything turned out alright in the end and she didn’t sustain any long-term or permanent damage from the incident.  Her life, and our family’s lives, changed forever though on that day as she was diagnosed with severe peanut/tree nut allergies and we have to be ever vigilant now for her safety.

The following is a video with useful tips and information regarding food allergies from Dr. Devang Doshi a leading expert in the field:

We carry an epi pen now with my daughter wherever we go.  An epi pen is a medical device also known as an epinephrine autoinjector that delivers a measured dose of epinephrine to treat the onset of anaphylactic shock caused by an allergic reaction.  In the case of my daughter’s reaction, while fortunately everything turned out fine, I made the wrong decision I rushing to the ER.  If someone is having an allergic reaction give them a shot of their epi pen if they have one and call 911.  Police, firefighters, and paramedics carry medication and have training to deal with these situations.  Food allergy reactions can be life or death situations, get help!

In dealing with our daughter’s food allergy, we need to be alert to avoid her ingesting peanuts/tree nuts or having peanut/tree nut protein or oils absorbed into her skin.  This isn’t as easy as it would seem though.  Our biggest hurdle is the fact that a food item might be contaminated in the kitchen or food processing plant although not specifically having the allergens as an ingredient.  We have to ask questions at restaurants and read labels all the time.  You need to look at for warnings labels such as “may contain” or “processed in facility with peanuts or tree nuts.”  It is frustrating though, because allergy warning labels are not required by law in the United States so just because a product does not have one you can’t assume it is safe.  We do lots and lots of consumer research on food products now in our household.

Basic things you used to take for granted now become problems too!  I had to pick up my crying daughter from preschool the other day because she couldn’t participate in a classmate’s birthday party.  One of the girls in her class had brought in cup cakes with a peanut warning on them so the teacher excluded my daughter from the class room snack time and sent her to the office for her protection.  My daughter was heartbroken she missed the birthday party and as a parent I was frustrated that food that was a danger to my daughter was allowed in a room with a big peanut-free sign on the door for a special occasion.

Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year as a kid - I loved trick or treating!  When I took my kids trick or treating last October 75% of the houses gave us Reese Peanut Butter Cups.  As much as I tried to prescreen the candy, people consistently tried to go around me to give candy directly to her or get her to put her hands into buckets.  We took some risk and gaver her some freedom on Halloween to take candy but afterward she traded it in to us for a special treat at Toys R Us.  I also didn't let her put her hands in her halloween basket and made her wash her hands when we got home...I was a nervous wreck to be honest when we went trick-or-treating last year but I don't want her excluded from fun activities other kids enjoy.

I’m a huge Detroit Tigers fan! Before we had kids, going to a Tigers games were a fun activity that my wife and I regularly attended.  We were looking at buying season tickets for us and the kids.  We went to a game and realized to our horror once we got there that there were peanut shells EVERYWHERE.  You don’t notice these things until they really matter.  We quickly left the game!

Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches were a lunch time staple in my house growing up.  In our house now we have Sun Butter & Jelly sandwiches.  Sun Butter is a peanut butter substitute made from sunflower seeds.  It has a little bit of a sun flower seed aftertaste but is really good once you get accustomed to that.   

These are just a few examples of ways a food allergy can impact things in your life that you wouldn’t have thought about otherwise.  Here are a few tips on dealing with a peanut allergy from the American Dietetic Association:

UNDERSTANDING FOOD LABEL ADVISORY STATEMENTS

• Some Food manufacturers voluntarily print advisory statements on food labels if there is a risk that a “safe” food came into cross-contact with a food allergen such as peanuts.  Look for warnings “may contain peanut” or “produced in a facility that also produces products containing peanut”.  An independent review showed that more than 7% of products that don’t contain peanuts as ingredients are contaminated in a kitchen or factory and contain enough peanut protein to trigger an allergic reaction.
• Advisory labeling is NOT required by law.  The absence of an advisory statement does not necessarily mean there is no risk of cross-contact with peanut.
• You may need to contact a manufacturer directly to get the information you need to assure the safety of someone with a peanut allergy before consuming a product.
• The type of advisory statement may not reflect risk.  For example, “manufactured in a facility that also manufactures products containing peanut” may not be safer than “may contain peanut”.

SHOPPING TIPS

• Read product labels EVERY time you purchase an item.  Ingredients and manufacturing practices change. Also different sizes and versions of same product may contain different ingredients or be manufactured different locations.  Oreos for example has some products that are safe and others that are not, but you have to read the labels to identify them.
• Nonfood items (including lotions, soaps, shampoo, and sun screens) may contain allergens. 
• Arachis oil contains peanuts.

EATING OUT TIPS

• When eating in restaurants use “chef cards” (available at www.foodallergy.org). These cards list all the ingredients your child needs to avoid.  Speak directly to the manager and inform him or her of the food allergy.  Present your chef card and discuss which ingredients to avoid as well as how to avoid cross-contact.
• Be aware that peanut butter may be used as a thickener for pasta sauces, in chili, and to seal egg rolls. Always inform restaurant staff of a food allergy.
• Avoid complex dishes and desserts with multiple ingredients or sauces.  These may contain hidden allergens.
• Avoid foods that are fried in a deep-fat fryer that may have been used to fry other foods with peanut ingredients.
• Be cautious that cross-contact is likely in salad bars and buffets.  Serving utensils may be shared and foods can spill and splash.
• Restaurants that serve Asian foods (such as Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai, or Vietnamese) are high-risk because they commonly use peanuts as ingredients.  There is a risk of cross-contact with peanuts even if a peanut-free item is ordered.
• Mexican mole sauces can contain peanuts
• Be aware that bakeries make products with peanuts and the use of shared equipment and close contact in display cases may increase risk of cross-contact with peanuts
• Ice cream parlors typically offer many flavors, some of which contain peanuts or a peanut ingredient.  Cross contamination is a risk.
• Look for food allergen information on Web sites for some fast food and chain restaurants.  Culvers does an incredible job with this … check this out.  However be aware that restaurant companies may use multiple food suppliers and ingredients or recipes may change over time.  Always reconfirm that food is safe before ordering.

I’ve had people rudely confront me that my child’s food allergy isn’t that big of a deal.  Consider this, last year more than 400 people died in the United States from food allergies and 90% of those cases were related to a reaction from either a peanut or tree nut.  As a parent of a child with a severe food allergy, I just ask others to try and keep in mind a basic rule that we are all taught at children “treat others as you’d like to be treated yourself in their situation.”

For more information on food allergies, please visit the Food Allergy & Anaphlaxis Network (www.foodallergy.org) or the Food Allergy Initiative (www.faiusa.org).  These two groups recently announced they will be merging to better serve the food allergy community so stay tuned for further updates as this develops. Click here to read about the merger.

FALLING SKIES MEAN RISING RATINGS @ TNT

Wow … looking back it shows just how amazing my wife is realizing that when we were first dating a priority of mine was either watching or taping a block of my favorite shows that aired on the SciFi (now Syfy) Channel every Friday night: Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica.  While Syfy abandoned “Sci-Fi Fridays” my wife has stuck with me and we are proud parents of twin 3 year olds who I am now unduly influencing with my love of all things geeky.  Now though the show we mark on the calendar each week to watch as a family is The Big Bang Theory, a comedy on the exploits of a group of geniuses (ok geeks) that has become an amazing hit on CBS.  My wife actually introduced me to watching The Big Bang Theory and lovingly mocks me that laughing at that show makes living with me more tolerable.  The fact that she can sing all the lyrics to Sheldon Cooper’s “Soft Kitty” song could make you wonder though who the real Geek in our family may be?

I rarely watch the SyFy channel anymore as they don’t run shows that appeal to my science fiction appetite which was developed in the 1970s/1980s enjoying a diet of movies and TV shows like Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, The Incredible Hulk, The Six Million Dollar Man, Star Trek, and V.  Occasionally, a new science fiction show will catch my attention and I wanted to give a plug to one of my favorites, FALLING SKIES, on the cable network TNT.  In its 2011 debut season, FALLING SKIES averaged more than 6.9 million viewers each episode and was ranked as basic cable’s #1 new series of 2011. The show airs during the summer months at 9pm on Sundays and Season 2 will debut on June 17th and continue for 10 episodes.

FALLING SKIES has a nice ensemble cast led by Noah Wyle, of ER fame, Will Patton, who has had starring roles in such movies as Armageddon, The Postman, and Remember the Titans, and Sarah Carter, who is the required sci-fi hottie for all the geek dads watching the show but also enhances that role with some depth of acting talent.  The focus of the show is on a band of ragtag survivors of a devastating alien invasion that has brought human civilization to its knees that join together to create a militia, similar to those of that started the American Revolution, to fight back and defend themselves.  

FALLING SKIES portrays the battles and struggles of the 2^nd Massachusetts Militia that is led by a retired Army Captain known as Weaver (Will Patton) and Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) a Boston  University history professor.  They fight extraterrestrials called “skitters” that are insectoid multi-legged aliens that control robotic war machines called “mechs” in this against all odds drama.

Dark Horse Comics partnered with TNT to help promote the initial premiere of FALLING SKIES in 2011 with a series of free digital comics to lead into the TV show.  They did an outstanding job with these comics which were later bundled into a print graphic novel that was made available for purchase.  I enjoyed the digital editions and picked one up one of the graphic novels for my collection.  I’m hoping that I might be able to get it signed by some of the show’s actors some day for my autograph collection. Following up on that first comic series, Dark Horse Comics has again partnered with TNT creating a FREE digital comic series with a lead in story for the Season 2 premiere.  CLICK HERE to enjoy it!

Season 1 ended with Tom Mason willingly going with the skitters in one of their spaceships to negotiate with them.  It’s been three months since he’s left and nobody has seen or heard from him since.  Now the 2^nd Massachusetts has been cornered by the aliens and is fighting for their very survival.  Here’s a clip from the first few minutes of the first episode of Season 2:

There are also some fun apps out there for Android and  iPhones.  The 2^nd Mass Defense game lets you join the fight against skitters and mechs.  CLICK HERE to download on iPhone and CLICK HERE to download on Android.  The game uses Augmented Reality putting you into the game by incorporating your phone’s camera to place 3-D aliens in your surroundings for you to fight off.  Augmented Reality is a new emerging trend that can produce some really amazing results.  Wal-Mart recently teamed up with The Avengers movie to create a stunning Augmented Reality app. CLICK HERE to check that out.

The Resistance is Calling app from TNT provides official show news and information.  This app provides sneak peak videos, behind-the-scenes interviews, cast bios, episode guides, the Falling Skies comic book from Dark Horse Comics, and viewable full episodes of the show. CLICK HERE to download on iPhone and CLICK HERE to download on Android.

FALLING SKIES is produced by the creator of E.T., Steven Spielberg, through his DreamWorks Television studio.  If you haven’t watched the show yet, the Geek Daddy gives it his official seal of approval. Check it out!

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2012

I enjoyed FREE Comic Book Day with my kids last Saturday (May 5) with a trip to the local comic book store to pick up some freebies.  This was the 10^thAnniversary of this event which has been held the first Saturday in May since 2002 and is scheduled to take place again next year on May 4^th for an 11^th year in 2013.  On Free Comic Book Day, you can stop by participating merchants and pickup free comic books drafted specifically for this event that give you a taste of what the publishers and titles have to offer.  Some of the comic books available feature full stories and others have snippets that showcase various artists and storytellers.   It’s a great way to introduce comics to children, provide existing readers a taste of different materials to sample, and encourage comic connoisseurs and potential new customers to support local brick-and-mortar comic book stores. 

My kids picked up special FREE COMIC BOOK DAYeditions of TINKERBELL, MEGAMAN, PEAUNUTS, DONALD DUCK FAMILY ADVENTURES, SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES & YO GABBA GABBA! We also grabbed a really nice hard bound book from Archaia Entertainment featuring a MOUSE GUARD story and some stories featuring some of the publisher’s other titles including Jim Henson’s THE LABYRINTH and Jeremy Bastian’s THE CURSED PIRATE GIRL.  

My daughter’s favorite comic book was hands down the Adventures of Tinkerbell which she took to bed with her and still hasn’t let go of today.  My son’s fav has to be ArchieComic’s MegaMan which he has been racing around the house with the last two days.  Both of them also have really enjoyed the MOUSE GUARD & OTHER STORIES book which they’ve asked me to read to them several times over since we got home from the comic book store yesterday.

I picked up a few comic books for myself too, including Free Comic Book Day editions of Marvel’s SPIDERMAN which gives a good glimpse off the rebooted movie coming out in July; a sample of Dark Horse’s sci-fi offerings in a STAR WARS / SERENITY double feature, an edgy overview of DC Comics THE NEW 52 titles, an AVENGERS feature giving a glimpse of an upcoming series featuring super villain Ultron, and a nostalgic MY FAVORITE MARTIAN story from Hermes Press.

As an example of how providing a free sample can generate new customers, we discovered THE CURSED PIRATE GIRL for the first time in the Archaia hardbound book and that looks like a title our family will be enjoying in the future and picking up at our downtown comic book store.  Looking into the title a little more online after reading the segment included in our Free Comic Book Day offerings, I was pleased to discover that Jeremy Bastian is a local artist who lives and works in Michigan.  Archaia must recognize that there is some extraordinary talent in our state, because David Peterson, the author and artist behind MOUSE GUARD, is also a Metro Detroit resident that just lives down the road from us.  

For more information about Free Comic Book Day, CLICK HERE to visit the official website.   The Web site provides a search service where you can enter your zip code to find local participating retailers.  Additionally, it provides some interesting background on history ofcomic books and each year they provide an overview of what special editions will be available at comic retailers for the event.  

AVENGERS MOVIE TIE-INS ASSEMBLE

I’ve been surprised that as the first blockbuster movie of the summer hits theaters this weekend there hasn’t been any partnership promotions for Avengers themed toys or products with McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and the like.  Turns out that Disney, which bought Marvel Comics in 2009, has established a policy against partnering with fast food restaurants to promote its movies because the company does not want to be viewed by the public as encouraging the consumption of junk food by kids.  Sorry folks, no Avengers toys in Happy Meals this year!

Don’t worry though; you will be seeing plenty of The Avengersas the movie rolls out onto the silver screen.  Ad Age reports that after the huge flop of “John Carter” (See my blogpost WHO IS JOHN CARTER?), Disney “is mounting a superhero-style marketing campaign to ensure 'The Avengers' is a blockbuster.”  In addition to a tremendous amount of advertising and public relations by Disney, there will be of course the numerous marketing promotional tie-ins that have become common place within the movie industry.  Here’s a breakdown on all things Avengers that have caught the geek daddy’s eye:

FARMERS INSURANCE:

Farmers Insurance is sharing in The Avengers hype with a funny commercial that attracts potential customers and helps promote awareness that the movie is hitting theaters.

HARLEY DAVIDSON:

Harley Davidson motorcycles is promoting a sweepstakes contest where the winner will get a character with their likeness illustrated into an Avengers digital comic and receive a super customized Harley Davidson motorcycle. CLICK HERE to enter.  There is also a FREEHarley-Davidson/Avengers digital comic book available at comixology.com   - Thanks Harley for acknowledging you can be both a tough guy and a geek! Much appreciated!

DR PEPPER:

Get your collectible Dr. Pepper cans at your local grocery store – there will be eight variations promoting various characters from the movie.  There will also be a contest where you can gather codes from Avengers branded 20-ounce Dr. Pepper bottles which can be used to enter a contest offering xbox360s as prizes.  You can also play a free video game on DrPepper.com where you can select a member of The Avengers team and engage in combat with alien shape-shifters known as Skrulls.

HERSEYS:
Enter the Hershey Chocolate sweepstakes to win Avengers swag.   Register codes from Avengers branded Hershey products to enter to win.  CLICK HERE for a list of prizes.

LAND O’MOMS:

Land O’Moms Lunch Meat is offering a contest with a grand prize winner getting an all expense paid trip to the home of the Avengers, New York City, and a host of super activities while you are there.  500 first place winners receive a Marvel Avengers app and 100,000 second place winners receive a package of Avengers trading cards. CLICK HERE for more information.

RED BARON PIZZA:

Red Baron Pizza’s The Avengers Sweepstakes has over 50,000 prizes including a new Acura car, free movie tickets, and 25,000 free Red Baron pizzas.  CLICK HERE for more info.

NORTON ANTI-VIRUS:

Norton is going full out co-branding itself with The Avengers.  In addition to promoting the movie in its advertising and marketing, Norton is also hosting a sweepstakes with a 10k grand prize. CLICK HERE to visit their homepage.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS:

Wyndham properties which include many budget-conscious locations such as Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, and TravelLodge has Avengers perk for its Reward program customers.  CLICK HERE to check them out.

WALMART:

Walmart's SuperHero AR app for smart phones lets you play a virtual reality Avenger's game and get pictures taken with the movie's superheroes using your phone's camera.  This is very geeky and very cool!

Vist Walmart's Avengers webpage HERE.

COLANTOTTE:

The Avengers has even partnered with a bracelet maker that promotes magnetism to improve personal health.  Check out their website HERE.

JADS:

Want to smell like THE HULK?  This line of men’s colognes is based on the superheroes from the movie.  Worthy – inspired by THOR – smells like woody citrus.  Patriot – inspired by Captain America  - combines Green Line with sandalwood.  MARK VII – inspired by Iron Man – combines mandarin and jasmine. SMASH – inspired by THE HULK – is a combination of water lily and nutmeg.  Visit their website by CLICKING HERE.

ACURA:

And last but not least, ACURA is marketing itself as the official vehicle of SHIELD.  They have an Avengers game and trivia on their website.  They also have been promoting the movie partnership in their TV commercials.

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!  Enjoy the movie everyone!

Comic Books = A Healthy Distraction

A few years ago I was working 60+ hours per week in a high-stress environment and pushing myself into an early grave.  Hypertension, high cholesterol, and an ulcer were all medical issues I was confronting and I was only in my mid-thirties.  At a doctor’s appointment, my physician in dealing with the situation prescribed me some medications, instructed me to eat a better diet and get more exercise, and gave me some really important advice.  He told me that a lot of my problems were because I had a high-strung personality and I needed to take life a “little less seriously” and “relax”.  The doctor advised me to find an outlet to reduce the tension in my life.

While I was in line at the pharmacy a little while later waiting to pick up my prescriptions, I noticed a comic book rack and walked over to browse.  I had been an avid comic book reader in grade school and junior high but hadn’t picked one up in about twenty years.  As I flipped through an issue of “Avengers” , I was impressed by how much fun it still was to read a comic book and it brought back memories of years when life was more care free.  I grabbed a few comics to take home with me Star Wars, GI JOE, and Spider Man.   

Since that day, I regularly read print and digital comics as a way to give myself some time to relax, calm myself down when I might becoming a little stressed, and to help myself take life a “little less seriously.”  Comics have also been a great medium for bonding through a shared interest with my kids and enjoying some family time with them that promotes reading and art.  As I’ve rediscovered comic books, I’ve found that there are some publications that are aimed solely for adult/mature audiences, some geared just for children, and others that appeal to kids of all ages.  So if you enjoy artwork and storytelling there is something out there for just about everyone.

Here is a list of some of my favorites:

You may have heard of this comic because the cable channel AMC is airing a very popular television series based upon the comic books published by IMAGE COMICS.  These comics are very graphic and are geared for an adult audience.  The comic books and tv show center around the character Rick Grimes, a police officer who awakes from a coma after being shot in the line of duty to find the world has fallen apart due to a zombie apocalypse.  He meets up with other survivors and they struggle to survive against a plaque of zombies.  The website Zombiephiles gives a good overview of the similarities and differences between the comic book and tv show (click here to read it).  If you don’t like spoilers though and watch the tv series you may not want to read the comics because they are very much alike.

The Walking Dead comics are printed in black & white to emphasize the dark nature of the story.  The comics are filled with great artwork and excellent stories that will peak the interest of any science fiction fan or horror movie fanatic.  The comic book will reach a milestone edition this July with the publishing of issue #100 which most likely will be given extra special attention and is not to be missed.  Get your Zombie on and pick up an edition of The Walking Dead at a local retailer or online at www.comixology.com

For more information about The Walking Dead Comics visit http://www.imagecomics.com/

MOUSE GUARD

This is a great comic book to enjoy together with your kids that features amazing artwork and interesting stories.  I guess the best way to describe it is to say it reminds me of “The Secret of Nihm” combined with “Game of Thrones”.  Mouse Guard is written and illustrated by the extremely talented David Peterson.  It is published bi-monthly by Archaia Studios Press.  If you look for it at the store it stands out on shelves because it is published in a unique square format (8”x8”) versus the standard comic book size (6^1/2”x10”).

The world of Mouse Guard is set in a land of sentient mice who live in a medieval age.  The stories revolve around a band of knights called the “Mouse Guard” who have sworn to protect civilian mice from predators.  For more information, visit http://www.mouseguard.net/

THE SCARY GODMOTHER

Another fun comic to enjoy with your kids, especially around Halloween!  Dark Horse Comics has compiled Jill Thompson’s acclaimed children’s stories (Scary Godmother, Revenge of Jimmy, The Mystery Date, and The Boo Flu) in a graphic novel.  Thompson's Scary Godmother series resulted in a successful stage show and an animated specials shown on Cartoon Network: Halloween Spooktacular & Scary Godmother. Thompson is one of the most respected women illustrators in the comic book industry.  In addition to her Scary Godmother series she has received acclaim for her work on Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, and Sandman.

In the Scary Godmother comics, a funky witch helps a young girl overcome bullies and other obstacles in life.  Thompson described the Scary Godmother in an interview with Roger Ash from Westfield Comics as “like your fairy godmother, but for Halloween. There’s really nothing scary about the Scary Godmother. She’s fun and macabre; reminiscent of childhood with a little bit of social commentary mixed in.”  She has also noted that these stories are meant to be enjoyed by both young readers and adults alike.  In an interview with PopImage, Thompson reflected on coming up with the idea for the Scary Godmother to “create a something with a Halloween theme after looking for a Halloween-themed children's book for her niece and not finding anything that she liked.”

To learn more about Jill Thomson visit http://www.jillthompsonart.com or CLICK HERE for more information on the Scary Godmother comics available through Dark Horse Comics.

ARCHIE

When you watch reruns of “Happy Days” the 1950’s just seemed like a simpler time to live.  In the comics you can still enjoy the adventures of fictional teenagers Archie Andrews,Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones  who live a 1950s lifestyle in 2012 through their adventures published by ARCHIE COMICS.  These are fun and silly stories that are a good family friendly read.  I remember watching the “Archies” television cartoons growing up and these comic books have a fun 70/80s vibe to them.  One story arc recently had the gang from Riverdale partner up with the rock band KISS to stop a zombie infestation. Can’t beat that!

STAR WARS

OK what Geek Daddy wouldn’t be a huge Star Wars fan?  I grew up watching the original movies, playing with the toys from Kenner (made in Cincinnati not China), and reading the comic books published by Marvel Comics.  Recently, Dark Horse bought the rights to republish the original Marvel Star Wars comics and I’ve been a little nostalgic reading a collection of issues that I originally read back in the 70’s & 80’s. Dark Horse also has several new limited edition and serial Star Wars comic books that they are publishing. Several of the titles that I enjoy include DAWN OF THE JEDI (story of how the first Jedi came to be), DARTH VADER & THE LOST COMMAND (one of Darth Vader’s first adventures as the Dark Lord of the Sith), DARK TIMES (stories taking place between the timeline between Episode III & Episode IV), and LEGACY (the story of Luke Skywalker’s great grandson).  For more information about about the Dark Horse line of Star Wars comics CLICK HERE.

DR WHO

I grew up in a home without cable tv that had really bad reception for the local Detroit tv stations, but did get great reception from the CBC channel in Windsor, Ontario.  So I watched a lot of “Hockey Night in Canada” with Don Cherry and episodes of DR WHO.  DR WHO is a long-running British science fiction show that depicts the adventures of a Time Lord,  (a time-travelling, humanoid alien) known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient, telepathic time machine called the TARDIS (whose exterior appears as a blue police box from London in 1963 when the series first aired) that flies through time and space.  DR WHO faces off against villains righting wrongs across the universe and  throughout history.

IDW PUBLISHINGhas done an incredible job of bringing the Doctor to live on the printed page.  I enjoy regularly catching up on his newest adventures in these comics, especially as watching the television show isn’t as accessible as it was when I was a kid.  Odd considering all the mediums we have to watch television shows now compared to the limited number of channels we had back in the 80s. 

I’m really excited about a new limited series that is coming out sometime in May that will pair up Doctor Who with the STAR TREK crew of the starship Enterprise.  In what could potentially be the ultimate sci-fi fan comic cross-over, this eight issue series will pit the Doctor & Captain Jean-Luc Picard against an alliance of the Borg and the Cybermen.  Check out the post on the Star Trek fan site for more information on what should prove to be an incredible read by CLICKING HERE.

I'm much healthier now that I've taken action to reduce work-related stress in my life, improve my diet, and increase exercising over the last few years.  I truely believe however that renewing my interest in comic books has also been a factor in reducing stress and adding some relaxation to my life. Plus its been a great way to spend some quality dad time with my kids enjoying something together.  Hope you’ve enjoyed my list of fav comics. Feel free to leave a comment sharing what comic books are your favorites and why?