When CBS/Paramount decided it was launching a new Picard streaming series I had one question, “Would the new series be a continuation of the original Star Trek: The Next Generation?” Yes, sort of. Picard takes place approximately 20>25 years after the crew of the Enterprise went their separate ways. Picard is now an old man, living at his vineyard with his Romulan housekeepers-seemingly content. That is until he meets a certain young woman. From there it’s full steam ahead as he encounter the heirs of Data, the Borg Queen, travels back in time, shifts to an alternate timeline, meets Seven ..read more

What better companion for a vampire hunter and vampires than a werewolf by the name of Oz? The Oz 12-inch fully articulated figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip-lid box with information about the TV show on the inside of the flap. Inside the 12-inch figure is snug (along with its accessories) in a form-fitted, clear-plastic cocoon and plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel. Talk about one weird Wolfman!  From dweeb to dangerous canine-what a transformation! The Oz figure has tousled red hair, a cherub face with small eyebrows and nose and wide friendly lips ..read more

Imagine finding a magic box that can be opposites. One day Panda found a colorful box. She played with it for a while. Suddenly the box talked. It was a box of opposites. It could be big or small, left or right, near or far and new or old. It could be any type of opposite at all! Writer Charles Ghigna and illustrator Jacqueline East, along with publisher Schiffer Kids, present a delightful and colorful tale of a cute, cuddly Panda and her mysterious decorated box: The Magic Box: A Book Of Opposites. The small hardbound book is easy to read and understand by little kids. The illustrations remi ..read more

When Marvel Comics created its own movie franchise under the Marvel Studios banner it was taking a huge risk. Its first film: Iron Man, proved to be a huge hit and so set in motion the new Marvel Cinematic Universe. Other characters from Marvel Comics soon had their own films. Thor being one of them. Casting for The God of Thunder was challenging but Chris Hemsworth proved the perfect choice along with the other cast members who played other Norse Gods and Thor’s human companions. Amazing sets, costumes and special visual effects made Thor a hugely successful film. In Titan Books’ Marvel Stud ..read more

Scott, a young and upcoming musician, decided to visit a local animal shelter for a pet. Immediately he spotted a chocolate brown bundle of energy and adopted Cocoa the dog. She went with him to his modest home and soon made herself comfortable. When Scott went on tour with his band Cocoa came along. Pretty soon the crowds loved Cocoa and she became famous. So famous that wherever she went-even the restaurant with the grumpy owner, she drew crowds of fans. Soon Scott added to their family with a new dog that looked just like Cocoa. Over time the family grew even more and so did Cocoa’s fame ..read more

George Patton. Ask any World War II historian and they can tell you all about the notorious, cranky, opinionated and stubborn General George Patton. It’s only fitting that he would have a touch-as-nails, fast, heavily armored and armed, bulldog of a tank named after him. Put into production in 1952 the Patton Tank is still used today proving its worth on the battlefield. In Schiffer Books’ Legends Of Warfare Ground M48 Patton: America’s First “Main Battle Tank” by author David Doyle informative and historical text accompanied by archival black and white and color photos follow the development ..read more

The Star Trek: Generations movie successfully transitioned the movies from the Kirk era to the Picard era. In First Contact-the crew under the command of Captain Picard must travel back in time to stop the Borg from changing history. The Enterprise crew must make sure the first warp capable spaceship launches thus causing the Vulcans to contact the people of Earth and so set in motion the formation of The Federation. In First Contact movie-goers got to witness a much more macho Captain Picard. Fists flew, phasers beamed and Picard was relentless and determined to stop the Borg and their queen ..read more

Pat Boone in an adventure movie!? Adapted from the Jules Verne novel, Journey To The Center Of The Earth finds a group of adventurers taking a perilous journey to the nether regions of the earth in hope of finding a passageway to the center of our planet. Four men, a woman and a duck face the challenges of such a journey in a thrilling film that explores the wonders and dangers beneath the earth’s crust. As a kid I was blow away by the story.  The tale starts in the United Kingdom.  A young college student gives his beloved professor a lava rock as a present.   When the pr ..read more

Finally! Something I can actually talk about with some authority. Most people know me from writing book and product reviews. But, did you know I am also an artist and graphic designer and that I wrote three children’s books? It’s true. It’s also a fact that I illustrated my books the way I pictured my characters and locations. In Mr. Fish And Friends Turning Famous Books Into Cartoons: Long Story Short, published by Akashic Books, Mr. Fish and a few fellow artists have provided their own unique takes on some literary masterpieces with some single page illustrations. Be prepared-they’re funny ..read more

Dreaming is pleasant, fun and enjoyable. Nightmares are another thing all together. Author Hillary Daecher, illustrator Angie Hohenadel and publisher Schiffer Kids present a different type of children’s’ story. A small child falls asleep. At first their dreams are full of color, friendly characters and beautiful surroundings. Suddenly things turn gloomy and dark and the giant black blob of The Nightmare Bug startles the child awake. Calling out for their mother the child is comforted by her voice. The mother tells the child not to be afraid. Instead the child should seek put the bug who only ..read more