The memoir: an important genre of nonfiction literature designed to give us lowly readers an insider look into the lives of the influential, the powerful, the motivational, the courageous, and some of the most remarkable people of our time.

Miley Cyrus fits none of these descriptions. Yet, she has already signed a book deal and is slated to write her very own memoir.  My revulsion at such a published work is matched only by my revulsion at the knowledge that every pre-teen consumer will be clamoring for it the very day it is released.

Apparently she can’t wait to tell everyone all about her strong relationship with her family. That’s adorable! But we all know that it’s actually Disney prostituting this rising young star’s career even more than it already has.

Also, it’s simply a premature move on her part. It’s only a matter of time before she falls into the vortex of drugs, car crashes, parties, nude pictures, and rehab. And then she has to write another memoir to talk about her fall from grace and her struggle back to the top! She might as well wait and publish it all at once.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and in the spirit of a greater understanding of this disability, I have for you a spotlight on William Stillman’s The Soul of Autism: Looking Beyond Labels to Unveil Spiritual Secrets of the Heart Savants.

Stillman probes and challenges the misconceptions surrounding autism, looking into the deep spiritual sensitivity of autistic individuals. Rather than dismissing autism as a developmental disability that stigmatizes both adults and children, Stillman explores quite a different possibility: what if autism was a spiritual gift?

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Entertainment Weekly, a magazine that continues to endear me for how much comic book-related material they cover, has a terrific feature on their website right now, “Comic Books: The One That Hooked Me!”
In it, over a dozen of the top industry talents show what was THE book that brought them where they are today. I like that in many instances the writers and artists acknowledge that they may have picked up something here and there in their youth that was practically throwaway, but here they detail the one that really stuck.

For me?
That’s easy: The New Teen Titans #16

As a kid growing up in the 70s, I was all over ANYTHING to do with superheroes. I’d follow the adventures of the Hulk, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, you name it, on TV. Mom would buy me the occasional comic book of said characters, and artistically I could never have enough superhero coloring books.

But it wasn’t until the family moved cross-country at the end of 1980, and I started figuring out the monthly schedule of comic books at my new neighborhood’s 7-11. The book that locked me in like a tractor beam was this gem by Marv Wolfman & George Perez. The story blew me away as a kid (no happy ending??), but even more so was Perez’s rendering of Robin, someone I only knew as a guy voiced by Casey Kasem (Super Friends), and portayed in the flesh by Burt Ward (Batman). I don’t think think Dick Grayson ever looked so bad-ass in the yellow cape and red & green tights, but it turned out to be a sign of good things to come for the character. Nightwing, anyone? Plus the other characters who were brand new to me (Starfire, Cyborg, Changeling) were instantly easy to connect with.

So what locked YOU in?

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in December of last year. Recently, it was announced that Pratchett donated 500,000 pounds to Alzheimer’s research.

Enterprising internet activists have decided to attempt to “match” Pratchett’s donation by having 500,000 users donate just one pound - or about two bucks, US - each.

Go here for more info.

I’m making my donation now!

He’s one of the true icons of the entertainment industry as well as one of the most renowned stars ever.  Ol’ Blue Eyes…Frank Sinatra.  His name is still synonymous with stardom.  Sinatra is one of those stars who will never fade away.  It’s not just that he left an enormous body of work in music, film, and television when he passed away, lots of stars did that.  But Sinatra has something only a handful of celebrities had, true charisma and a certain aura to him.  It’s what separates Sinatra and others like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis, from the pack.   

With Christmas fast approaching, Little Brown & Co., has released a book that is sure to be a hit this holiday season.  Frank Sinatra:  The Family Album is a glimpse into the personal life of this legendary performer.  As the title implies, this book is photo album of Sinatra’s life.  His family has graciously supplied most of the photos in the book, a gift to his legions of fans.  The book contains over 100 color and black & white photos, tracing his life and career every step of the way.  Writer Charles Pignone provides the informative captions as well lively anecdotes that include comments from Sinatra himself as well as various friends and family members, all sharing their memories of Frank. 

What must assuredly be the most rare Sinatra picture shows as an infant, lying naked on a blanket, and even at that age, the eyes were already striking.  We see Frank as a kid on the streets of Hoboken, New Jersey, riding his bike and also visiting the beach with friends along the Jersey shore.  My only regret is that we didn’t get to see Frank more as a child and the album quickly moves into young adulthood with his marriage to Nancy in 1939.  The happy couple are shown walking down the steps of Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Jersey City.  It’s evident that Frank and Nancy were deeply in love as evidenced by the joyful photos.  Nancy notes that in those early days they were together 24 hours a day as Frank traveled from show to show for his blossoming career.  There’s also lots of pictures of Frank and his children having many fun times together. 

Much of the book is focused on Frank’s careers from his days as a big band crooner and later with his film and television career.  Frank is shown at lavish parties with a who’s who of Hollywood including Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, and many more.  Frank’s life truly lived up to the type of a legendary star!  Oddly though, there were no pictures of the Rat Pack together as one might have thought. 

The book comes full circle as an older Sinatra becomes a Grandpa.  Frank’s status as a true family man is cemented as he plays with his granddaughters Angela and Amanda, building snowmen, sledding, and hanging out in the swimming pool.  Amanda reveals that Frank was a big fan of the “Jeopardy” TV show.  A star to the very end, this book presents a unique and personal look into the life of one of the 20th century’s greatest stars.  A fantastic tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes!

Chad Michael Ward’s “Autopsyrotica” was one of the most interesting art books that’s had crossed my desk in a long time.  Darkly haunting, viscerally intimidating, Wards blend of digital photography and art overstepped all boundaries.  Ward is now back with his latest visual indulgence entitled “Devilengine” published by NBM.  The digital art medium has given birth to a new generation of genius artists who create well outside the normal confinements of fantasy art and Ward is among the leaders.  Part horror, part erotica, and part fantasy, his work shuns traditional labels and stands on its own…it just…IS!

Devilengine is 80 pages of decadent, and often unearthly delights that terrify even has they mesmerize the viewer.  The first piece to catch my eye is the demonic “The Unholy Trinity.”  The face of a Catholic priest is photographed with three distinct expressions, each showing another level of savagery, and then morphed together as one giving the subject three perfectly blended faces.

Angels and demons play a central role in Wards art but he puts his own special perspective on them, humanizing them to a degree that often makes them more imposing.  “The Ethernaut” gives us a shining angel which nearly blinds the reader with her shimmering hair and luminescent silver gloves and breastplate.  The book includes art that Ward has done for numerous projects including DVD cover art, gaming book covers, and more.  Ward’s art can probably sucker you into renting even the lowest grade B movie.

The final chapter are untitled pieces of perhaps his darkest, yet most enthralling work.  These include nude photography that is the anti-glamour response to typical art collections.  These women are dangerous and yet powerfully seductive.  The model called Cenopussy is shown spattered in what we will assume is buckets of blood with her fingers down her throat as if she’s gobbling down the last bit of something…or someone…Deviengine may not be for everyone, but for those with a taste for the dark side of things and a truly talented artist, this is one you must not miss.  $18.95 from NBM

God only knows how excited I was last Wednesday when I booked from work to head to my favorite Manhattan shop, Forbidden Planet, for the fourth iteration in the spectacular adventures of ex-boyfriend fighting hipster, Scott Pilgrim. For those who have followed this kinetic  soap opera, the annual Scott Pilgrim digests follow the adventures of a 23-year-old slacker who must battle his girlfriend’s seven evil exes in order to stay with her. The amazing thing about Bryan Lee O’Malley’s serials is how they analogize the drama and strife of 20-something dating through over-the-top kung fu fights and playful pop-culture commentary. Who hasn’t ever felt like dragon-punching your significant other’s pretentious vegan ex-boyfriend before head-butting him into oblivion (I’m literally pausing right now to fantasize)? Fortunately, the ridiculous fights are balanced with superb characterization and real affection for these characters, whose quirks are easily found in some of your real-life friends and flames.

Unfortunately, Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together doesn’t live up to the standards of the previous three volumes. The ex he fights in this edition isn’t as memorable as the ex-professional skateboarder or aforementioned telekinetic vegan bass player from volumes past. Likewise, the hilarious parallels between Scott and video-gaming nostalgia are flimsy at best (a digital thirst meter?). My biggest complaint, though, is the characterization behind gay roommate Wallace and the rest of his friends. The characters stray from idiosyncratic lovability into some pretty strange directions that I won’t spoil. Suffice to say, Pilgrim always thrived in its balance between realism and fantasy, but this realism is strained into some tired territory that would fit more into exploitive teenage melodrama than everyone’s favorite Canadian Manga.

That said, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from picking this series up. A lackluster Scott Pilgrim shines brighter than 90% of anything else from the big two. Apparently I’m not alone in my praise for this series, as the stock at Forbidden Planet was clean sold out in hours and I had to travel to St. Mark’s where a lone copy thankfully remained.

Ira Levin, the masterful writer of suspense classics Rosemary’s Baby, The Boys from Brazil and The Stepford Wives, has died.

If you’ve never read (and I do mean read) his books, do yourself a favor and check them out. Levin was a brilliant plotter and knew how to make every movement count. Fiction is poorer for this loss.

Outside of perhaps only Marilyn Monroe, no female has been the subject of more mystery and more obsession than Bettie Page.  Page’s career last only about seven years from 1950 to 1957.  During that time Page worked as a model in everything from traditional pin-ups to fully nudes to bondage and fetish motifs.  Page was also the Playboy Playmate of the Month in January, 1955.  Page abruptly left the business in 1957, citing a conversion to Christianity although that has been disputed by many.  What isn’t disputed is the indelible impression she’s made on the males of the species for over fifty years, continuing to enjoy incredible popularity.  If you need further proof, there is this great new release from Dark Horse Books.  This book contains over 300 very rare photos and pieces of art not only of Bettie, but other notable pin-up queens of the 50’s and 60’s such as Sophia Loren, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Ursula Andress, Brigitte Bardot, and many others.

Many of the Bettie photos were taken by amateur photographers and are being seen for the very first time.  These include both black and white and full color photos, numerous nude shots, and bondage/fetish photos.  This is exhibit A as to why Bettie was and remains so popular.  Despite many of the photos being taken by amateurs, they never come off as seedy.  This is in large part due to the fact that Bettie had that inexplicable next door girl look and always seemed to have a smile on her face no matter what the pose.  The published photos come from such long-forgotten men’s magazines as Eyeful, Tid Bits, Wink, and Titter.  The other interesting thing about Bettie’s photos is their relative innocence.  Again, with many being produced by amateurs they were taken not in studios with sets but rather in everyday homes or apartments and it gives them truly a personal touch.

The book covers the very early period of nudes in magazine and in film including very rare photos from foreign films of the 40’s and 50’s.  There’s a spectacular shot of a topless Sophia Loren from the 1953 Italian film “Two Nights with Cleopatra.”  The 50’s saw an explosion in men’s magazines, which are detailed in the chapter called Pin-up Wars.  There were literally scores of men’s magazines, both domestic and foreign, flooding the marketplace and a competition of sorts began between American and European pin-up models.  Dozens of cover’s are reprinted and it brings home just how voracious this battle became.  There are chapters devoted to the most famous sex symbols:  Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Bardot, Gina Lollobrigida, and Kim Novak which feature shots from both film and photo sessions.  Finally, the book concludes with the photos that would earn Bettie the notorious label…her bondage and fetish shots, again many being seen for the first time in any collection.

This is an exquisite collection not only for Bettie Page fans, but also for any fan of 50’s and 60’s pin-ups.  The photography is brilliant and artfully reproduced by Dark Horse.

With the DVD release of Shrek 3 just around the corner, Insight Editions has released a beautiful new book with the collector or avid fan in mind.  Shrek:  The Art of the Quest is a lavishly illustrated hardcover book featuring previously unpublished art from all three of the mega blockbuster films.  This includes black & white sketches, storyboards, concept art, models, 3D art…just about everything an Ogre fan could ask for, all in an oversized hardcover that comes in a handsome slipcase. 

The first thing you will lay your eyes on are some rare glimpses into Shrek himself and how the initial concept drawings looked far different than the final product.  Among those providing some of these concept drawings is longtime comic book artist, Mike Ploog.  All of the films major characters are covered including Donkey, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, Prince Charming, and Merlin.  When you look through the pages you cannot help but be amazed at the intricacy of detail that these talented artists have put into their work.  There’s even blueprint drawings of the castle. 

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The enchanting art of Brian Froud takes center stage in a stunning new book from Insight Editions entitled “Brian Froud’s World of Faerie.”  This 176 page, coffee-table book is designed with the collector in mind.  As with every book from Insight Editions, no expense is spared in the design and layout.  As the title suggest, the book spotlights the whimsical world of the faerie, perhaps his favorite subjects.  His art has inspired the look of films such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.  This is a much-anticipated sequel to the original “Faeries” first published in 1979. 

As you read through the pages and are transfixed by Froud’s breathtaking art, Froud shares his inspirations with the reader.  From a mere stroll through an idyllic field, and noting details like the moss on a rock or a fallen hazelnut, Froud weaves a tapestry of the subtle and fantastic.  He can imagine these mythical creatures of magic fluttering about or perhaps hiding behind a tree or bush.  You are swept up into Froud’s world and his creations and there’s no way you can’t be awed.  The intricate detail of his art brings each scene to life.  You have to study and admire each piece closely because there is so much there…in the forefront and in the background.  The faeries, imps, sprites and pixies blend into their surroundings and it almost becomes one of those find the hidden picture puzzles you did as a kid.  Froud gives his interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, which can only be described as wonderfully bizarre and hauntingly beautiful.

Like many of the books from Insight Editions there are hidden little treats inside to be discovered.  There are smaller booklets affixed inside, foldout spreads, and a poster.

One such booklet called Peter & Wendy is Froud’s Peter Pan interpretation.  Other creatures of legend are on display such as the Green Man and Green Woman, those representations of nature and rebirth.  There are Unicorn Women, Giants, Trolls, and faeries of pure light.  This is a book of timeless magic.  Most of the art in the book is in full color with a little bit of sketch work as well.

This is Froud’s world.  He may not have created it, but he has perfected it without a doubt.  This is his haven and the creatures there seem only too pleased to be a part of it.  This is, dare I say it, even superior to the original “Faeries” in every way.  Check out the Insight Editions website to see more: Insight Editions

Having tried my hand at digital art with Photoshop, I have to say that I really…REALLY admire the hell out of artists who work well with it.  OK..I’m no trained artist but I’m still mesmerized by the technique when someone can master it.  One of those who has truly mastered digital art is Bruce Colero.  SQP has just released Heavenly Bodies:  The Art of Bruce Colero.  It’s my first time seeing his art and I was absolutely blown away.  Digital truly requires a whole different approach than traditional artwork.  The enhancements of light, shadow, and the use of color is so integral to digital art.  Bad technique stands out like a sore thumb while masterful technique is dazzling.

This 48 page collection is full color and shows off Colero’s vast talent with the female form.  The themes range from fantasy, to Sci-Fi, to horror and to comic books, each page featuring Colero’s dynamic artwork.  One painting that strikes you right off the bat is “And Lead us into…”  This piece shows off a striking female demon, nude but with flames swirling about her body in all the strategic places.  Now you really have to pay attention to the flames here.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen flames in a piece of art look as real as they do in this painting.  The coloring, the shape…you can almost see the flames moving around her body.  It’s a brilliant piece of art!

Another magnificent example is “Rio” showing a nude blond, with her back to the viewer, wading into knee-high water on a beach as the sun sets in the background.  The coloring and shading is just unbelievable.  You look at how the sun reflects off the water’s gentle ripples and you wonder how Colero manages to be so precise and so accurate in his rendering of this paradise.  The female form has rarely looks this good, even if it is a bit exaggerated in its perfection.

Highlighting the book for me is the inclusion of several well known subjects such as Lady Death, Vampirella, Elektra, and The Black Cat.  The Black Cat is perhaps my favorite piece in the entire book.  She sits crouched upon a building’s ledge, contemplating her next move but poised for action.  This is one piece of art that would like great on your wall.  “Heavenly Bodies” is a collection that any fan of pin-up or glamour art should own.  SQP has delivered another outstanding art collection!

Few things bring me as much joy as a new collection of art from the clown princes of naughty, Fastner & Larson.  Good ol’ Sal Q has unleashed Tricks & Treats on fans of pin-up, the latest collection from the duo, all in gorgeous full color!  The cover tells the whole story here as the gorgeous hottie is passing out candy to the eager trick-or-treaters, but take a look down by her feet…it seems as if some little ghoul or goblin has decided to go in search of his own special treat under her dress.  This is what these guys do better than anyone else…hot babes laced with naughty, yet fairly harmless humor.  In this regard they are really a throwback to some of those great pinup artists of the 50’s and 60’s such as Art Frahm.

As you might gather from the title, this is a themed collection with an emphasis on monsters and horror, and of course, gorgeous women.  All of the pieces in the book are titled.  A favorite early on is “There Goes Tokyo” as a miniature Godzilla blasts a jet of fire at the read end of a schoolgirl who has bent over to pick up one of her books.  There again is the patented F & L humor on display.  “Party at Monster Beach” features the Wolf Man battling the Creature from the Black Lagoon, with the winner getting the scantily-clad girl firmly in the Wolf Man’s grip.  What happens when you eat “Too Much Candy?”  You get put over the knee of a pumpkin-headed scarecrow and get a good spanking on your backside, that’s what!  That one is just great!

Spankings and bondage are a central theme throughout the book, and the fans of Fastner & Larson wouldn’t have it any other way.  Another great spanking piece shows a tiny little sprite or pixie holding a BIG paddle and ready to deliver the punishment to the very cute, human-sized blonde.  Another favorite piece is “Clawfoot Tub” showing a woman enjoying a nice hot soak in the bathtub, oblivious to the eye and tentacle poking out of the water.  In all the book is 48 pages with cover-to-cover full color.  One of the best books yet from Fastner and Larson and SQP!

If you’ve never seen one of Insight Editions books on films you don’t know what you are missing.  These are not just books that you read, but they are the next best things to actually seeing the films.  You actually can experience the movie through words and pictures but also through the dozens of little surprises that pop out at you as you journey through the pages.  The smash Broadway hit musical Hairspray came to the big screen in July to rave reviews from both film critics and fans alike.  Newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Globe, Chicago Sun Times, Entertainment Weekly, New York Post, and Rolling Stone all gave the film a grade of an A or an A-.  It just proves that film fans still love a good musical when its done right.

In conjunction with the film, Insight Editions has released their wonderful book that brings the film home to fans in a unique way.  Beginning with a foreword by John Waters, the book explores the making of the film from the original version, to the stage, and finally this Summer’s blockbuster re-make, all in full, bold color.  The book contains literally hundreds of photos from the film as well as exclusive, behind-the-scene shots of cast and crew.   John Travolta not only plays the most unique role in his illustrious career as Mama Edna, but he supplies own thoughts on the role and why he decided to do the film.  Travolta discusses his approach to the role in trying to make Edna a believable character, from her voice right down to how she walks.  From his words, you can see that John had a great time making this movie, particularly the climactic dance number.  Besides Travolta you’ll meet the rest of the fantastic cast such as James Marsden as Corny Collins, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Jerry Stiller as Mr. Pinky, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, and Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad.  (Man!  That is some cast!) But this isn’t just some dry narration on making a movie.  As you begin to negotiate the pages you start encountering some of those surprises I talked about earlier.  There are all sorts of inserts placed in the book…faux posters for TV shows that were seen in the film, postcards that have nostalgic, period designs, cling-on stickers, and envelopes that you have to open that contain other special treats.  I’m not going to play spoiler, you’ll have to get the book and open them yourself!

There’s also great articles about the films song and dance numbers and lots of trivia about the early 1960’s like the top Juke Box hits of 1962, as well as styles of clothes and hair from the era.  From cover to cover this is just a treat for the eyes and will put a smile on your face.  A great collector’s book!

ewwww, not like THAT! sheesh. Anyway, the Shots in the Dark team will be representing Muggles everywhere as we travel to a magic-ified Hero Headquarters in Wheeling, IL TONIGHT, Friday 20th of July! The party celebrating the launch of the seventh book starts at 9 and runs past midnight, when you can buy your copy! There will be a real magician there putting on a show at about 10:30, and Shots in the Dark will be recording an extra special Potter-cast! Get it? Huh? Do you get it? I replaced “Pod” with “Potter.” Now do you get it? Cause it’s all about Harry Potter, with book summaries from the first six, a movie review of the 5th movie, and a little peek at what’s to come in Year Seven: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Get it now? Potter-cast. Heh. I crack myself up. Well, See you there, and if we don’t, check back tomorrow night for the all new episode of your favorite geek culture podcast, Shots in the Dark!