Nutcrackers and Coca-Cola

I started collecting Nutcrackers when I was in elementary school. I've been sitting here trying to remember why or how it started and I can't. I also had a collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. I don't remember the genesis of that either, but that's on brand at least. Like Elvis and all things 1950s it plays to that vintage Americana vibe that has always appealed to me. Nutcrackers though. I don't know. It was probably started as a Christmas thing.  I know it wasn't necessity. It's not like I was sitting around with a bunch of in-shell nuts wondering about the next step. 

I had them in all shapes and sizes.  I had favorites.  I had display shelving.  I carefully packed them in newspaper each time we moved, which was often. I remember once being in Lakeland, Florida, and seeing one that was nearly as tall as I was.  It was $100 and I was desperate to get it. (I did not.)  As a side note, on that trip to visit my great-grandma in Lakeland I got in to collecting stuffed Winnie the Poohs. That one never went anywhere. The Nutcrackers lasted though, until the last move of my childhood.  I was in 11th grade and I never unpacked them.  They were in a closet and I'd think about them from time to time, but there they stayed carefully wrapped in newspaper. 

Ultimately, I think it was about control. It probably could have been anything unique. Unlike the Coke stuff this didn't fit any pattern or adhere to what other people liked about me.  It was just mine.  I could arrange and rearrange them anyway I liked. It was something I took pride and comfort in. So wherever those boxes ended up, thanks fellas. 

Real quick, why does Coke taste so much better in glass bottles?

Book Review: The Last Age of Magic

Justice League Dark V.1: The Last Age of Magic
****

I've always wanted to get into the DC magic stuff, so I jumped at the chance to snatch this from NetGalley.
DC's magic titles have always intrigued me but I've never been able to get in to them. It has been hard to find good hop on points, even in the New 52 era.  I'm happy to report that I found Last Days of Magic, to be a great starting point.  The characters referenced events from stories I hadn't read, but it was intriguing instead of off-putting.  Overall I found this to be a very successful start.
The story deals with a slew of magic based characters coming together to basically save magic itself.  That's a good hook.  I rarely think of Wonder Woman as a magical character, a point she makes quite well in the story, but it totally makes sense.  And really, hats off to anyone who can make a successful go of Detective Chimp.  I have a soft spot for that character and was pleasantly surprised to see him not only be taken seriously, but given something serious to do. I'm all in for the follow-up volume and am now going to seek out the events referenced in the story that I haven't yet read.  Well done my friends.

Book Review: Superman: The Unity Saga: Phantom Earth

Superman Vol.1: The Unity Saga - Phantom Earth
***
Thanks to my pals at NetGalley for the review copy.

I go off on little tangents where I prefer certain characters for a while.  I might devour a Flash run (hello Rebirth) or sit in a circle of trades reading a Green Lantern run in chronological order (looking at you Blackest Night), but Superman transcends these whims. I'm always in the mood for Superman.
I have to admit that it is exciting to see the OG Superman back in the trunks going on an adventure.  It took me a while to get into the Rebirth era, but by the Truth run I was all in. Now that we are beyond that, I have been looking forward to this Bendis run and was eager to get started.  I was hoping to love it, but only clocked in at liking it.
I have to say upfront, my problems with this book come down to personal preference.  I have never been a fan of Zod or "Krypton is back!" plotlines. It's just not the way I prefer my Superman.  I like simple stories that allow Superman's goodness to shine through. (See Grounded)
But let's put that aside and focus on the story at hand. In a nutshell Superman finds out what really happened to Krypton and when Supergirl attempts to capture the villain using the Phantom Zone projector a little more than she intended gets sucked into it.  With Lois and Jon off with Jor-el, a lonely Superman has to tackle this issue with the aid of the Justice League.  There's some great stuff in here between Superman and the Martian Manhunter.  Everything with Flash cracked me up. We end on an intriguing note which was a pretty successful cliffhanger.
The dialogue is quippy without being cute and the book looks great. The story feels a little 90s throwback, but I assume that's intentional.  While I would have preferred a different kind of Superman story, there's a lot a good here and I'm ready for more.

To hear more about some of my old-school favorite Superman stories tune in to this special episode of the All the Books Show.