As we’ve mentioned time and time again (and again and again), comics do not have the best track record of showcasing non-white, non-straight, and non-male characters. This was especially true in the early days. While comics are still dominated by straight white guys, creators in recent years have made an effort to introduce more characters who reflect comics’ diverse readership. So, this Arab American Heritage Month, challenge yourself to expand your comic-reading horizons and check out some of the characters of Arab heritage below. You may just find your new favorite hero or villain! For mor ..read more

One of the most celebrated and influential anime in history, Mobile Suit Gundam debuted on April 7th, 1979. Depicting the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, Gundam is now seen as the gold standard for the giant robot (or mech/mecha) genre, and has produced countless sequels, offshoots, and alternate timelines that continue to this day (‘90s kids may remember the beloved Gundam Wing in particular when it was shown regularly on Cartoon Network). While the Gundam series has expanded greatly over the past four and a half decades, the original from 1979 (now often refer ..read more

Calling all ghost hunter enthusiasts! Did you know that your local library carries these extraterrestrial materials? Here are some recommendations from TLCPL, just in case you’re in the mood of spooks, specters, or ghosts! Ghostbusters: The Official Cookbook The Real Ghostbusters: The Animated Series, V.8) Ghostbusters: Answer the Call Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ghostbusters Proud to Be a Ghostbuster Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Ghostbusters: The Original Movie Novelization Omnibus Ghostbusters 2 Cleanin’ up the Town: Remembering Ghostbuster ..read more

Sweeping sagas and fascinating details make these historical fiction titles some of the most compelling reads around. essex dogs by Dan Jones First in a projected trilogy on the Hundred Years War. July 1346: the Essex Dogs, a platoon of archers and men-at-arms led by a battle-scarred captain whose best days are behind him, land on the shores of Normandy. Being on the vanguard of the 15,000-strong invasion force, the Dogs are first into the cities being sacked on the way to conquer Paris. Rooted in historical accuracy, laced with black humor, and told through an unforgettable cast, Essex ..read more

Netflix just debuted its live-action adaptation of Avatar! Not the Avatar with tall, blue aliens, but Avatar: The Last Airbender. Tasked with protecting the balance between the Four Nations and the Spirit World, the Avatar is the only being that can bend all four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. Aang, the current Avatar, has been frozen in ice for the past 100 years, and after being rediscovered by siblings Katara and Sokka, is now responsible for saving the world from the power-hungry Fire Lord! The Dawn of Yangchen Set over 450 years before The Last Airbender, this Teen novel follo ..read more

Anyone who has ever participated in a role-playing game (or RPG for us geeks), knows it takes a ton of work for a Games Master to make the game fun. There have been some wonderful RPG resource books published lately that can really raise your gaming to the next level. Here are some great guides on story-building, character development, and monster creation — perfect for making the best games night ever! Go ahead! Split the party! What can possibly go wrong?! lore and legends the game master's handbook of proactive roleplaying so you want to be a game master the game master's ..read more

In many ways, comics completely dispel the idea of the singular, artistic genius. Much like film and video games, most comics require the contributions of multiple talented people who bring a unique skill to the table, and together they make a cohesive whole. Despite this, writers (and to some extent pencillers—not inkers, colorists, and letterers, though) tend to get much of the credit for a book’s success. I mention this because so many talented women have worked on comics in these essential, but less glamorous, supporting roles over the past century or so, and it’s time they got their shar ..read more

Why stick with only one genre when two can be so marvelous?! There’s something chocolatey-peanut buttery about the mystery genre that mixes so well with science fiction and/or fantasy elements.  From locked rooms to isolated space stations, from gun-toting PIs to magic-wielding investigators, the possibilities are endless and together take both genres well beyond the scope of the usual stories.   Below are some wonderful combinations of clever mysteries with fantastical elements, perfect for the mystery lover who wants to dip into sci-fi/fantasy, and for the sf/f geek who want ..read more

Dragons hold a significant place in Chinese mythology, folklore, and culture. They are considered highly auspicious creatures and have been revered for thousands of years. Unlike the Western perception of dragons as fire-breathing and malevolent creatures, Chinese dragons are benevolent, powerful, and associated with positive qualities. Here are some key aspects of dragons in Chinese mythology: Symbolism: Dragons represent power, strength, good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. They are often associated with water and are believed to have control over rain, rivers, and seas. Chinese empero ..read more

It’s easy to see the appeal of Valentine’s Day. After all, love is great. It’s also easy to see Valentine’s Day in a much more contemptuous light. Luckily, for the countless misanthropes who have little time for romance, February 14th comes with a surprisingly decent assortment of movies at the other end of the spectrum. The films below use the occasion of Valentine’s Day or the theme of romance as a springboard from which to explore the gruesome, horrific things that are sadly absent from The Notebooks and When Harry Met Sallys of the world. So bust out your library card, check out these hor ..read more