My Library: "Black Hole" by Charles Burns

Black Hole by Charles Burns

Book - Amazon | Wikipedia | Goodreads

Author - Wikipedia | Goodreads

One could easily say that this book is very very different thank other comic books out there. It's a real life situation where STDs become a metaphor, where teenagers have to live with the evidence of their sexual relationships through visual representations and grotesque mutations. An interesting thought, but at times I have to admit this book made me cringe and it is most certainly not for the faint. The artwork is amazing, normally I'm one to love color, but this black and white artwork is so strong and perfect for the story. There has been lots of talk of this book being made into a movie, but to date there is no real definitive answer, there is however an abbreviated live-action version of it on Rupert Sander's website, I will say this though, it is not safe for work and is a tad disturbing. You can find the video here. 

Here is what Goodreads has to say about the book: 

Suburban Seattle, the mid-1970s. We learn from the out-set that a strange plague has descended upon the area’s teenagers, transmitted by sexual contact. The disease is manifested in any number of ways — from the hideously grotesque to the subtle (and concealable) — but once you’ve got it, that’s it. There’s no turning back.As we inhabit the heads of several key characters — some kids who have it, some who don’t, some who are about to get it — what unfolds isn’t the expected battle to fight the plague, or bring heightened awareness to it , or even to treat it. What we become witness to instead is a fascinating and eerie portrait of the nature of high school alienation itself — the savagery, the cruelty, the relentless anxiety and ennui, the longing for escape.And then the murders start.As hypnotically beautiful as it is horrifying, Black Hole transcends its genre by deftly exploring a specific American cultural moment in flux and the kids who are caught in it- back when it wasn’t exactly cool to be a hippie anymore, but Bowie was still just a little too weird. To say nothing of sprouting horns and molting your skin…

-Goodreads

Definitely worth a look if you're into the weird.  

My Library: "Ghost World: The Special Edition" by Daniel Clowes

Ghost World: The Special Edition by Daniel Clowes
Book - Amazon | Wikipedia | Goodreads
Movie - IMDb | Website | Trailer
Author - Website | Wikipedia | Goodreads

In the comic book world I think there's nothing better than a story that tells the truth and reality of people (I mean there's only so many super hero stories one can take, ya know?!), so I must say that Ghost World fits that category very well. It seems to me that my life growing up wasn't as strange as I always thought it was, that my swearing like a sailor in my teen years/late adolescents wasn't odd at all. It's somewhat stereotypical, right?
One thing that this edition of Ghost World offers that others don't is the extensive background to the story and it's creation that it offers. Where characters came from and how Enid is a reflection of an actual person. In my opinion it's totally interesting to learn more about the story.
On a side note, for those who have seen the movie staring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Buscemi, I must warn you, the book and movie are very different from one another, so don't expect to get the movie from the book or the book from the movie. Just understand that while they are related, they are not the same thing. 

Friday Favorites #10

Batgirl art!

By Nathanael Lark

Wonder Woman kitchenaid, too perfect.

Via The Laughing Squid

Cute little outfits and cute little hair to match.

"Evening Shade In The Lonely Hour" blog post by The Clothes Horse

This photo reminds me of the fact that I learned while living in Florence, that no matter where you are in Florence, if you can see the Duomo, you can never get lost.

Via Tumblr

Oh how I love organization!

Via Tumblr

Cat and mouse artwork that seems fitting this week for all the MetaMaus I've been reading.

"We Can Work It Out" by Skinny Ships (Richard Perez) on Flickr

Music I've been listening to this week.

The Black Keys "Attack and Release" via Amazon

And today this came out! I've already got my copy and ready to curl up and have a slightly teared watch.

Via Amazon

Also, hearing about the recent floods in Toscana and Liguria greatly sadden me, so I thought I'd share a few links with you. Here is an article by The Florentine (the English magazine published in Florence) about the flooding, and here is an article about the floods on November 4th, 1966, and here is a site that gives information about donating. You can also donate money direction to The Florentine, found in the second link about the floods from 1966, which is an easier way to donate than the directions listed on the Croce Rossa Italiana (Red Cross Italy) website. 

Friday Favorites #9

(Sorry for the no show yesterday, this week has been kinda hectic and I've been a little under the weather.) 

Reading artwork, I always love it.

"Reading by Lamplight" etching by James Abbott McNeil Whistler, 1858

Fashion being totally fashionable. 

Via The Glamourai 

Did you have a good Halloween? Skulls are always a classic Halloween go to and the great photos you can find of people dressed up as calaveras.

"Dia de Los Muertos" by Jirrupin on Flickr

LOVE this Missoni inspired scarf I found on Ravelry. It's a free download for the pattern as well, thinking about giving it a try. 

"Keeping Rosita Warm" by Nadia Severns on Ravelry

Batgirl shirt! Gimme gimme gimme!

"Batgirl Crisis" t-shirt on ThomBrown

Catwoman and Wonder Woman shoes? Ughhhh I need them!

"Andre's Footwear Collection Features Wonder Woman and Catwoman" via Comics Alliance

You can always find awesome artwork on DeviantArt.

"False Memory" by GatoCasero on DeviantArt

Eee! This sweater is too cute.

By Evssic on Flickr

Top 5 Reasons Why I Wish I Was Iron (Wo)Man

Obviously there is Iron Woman comic book character out there, but who really thinks about that, it's all about Iron MAN, isn't it? Well I'm not a man, but I'd love to fill the suit of Iron Man, just as Toni did for her older brother Tony. Obviously a lot of the male attributions will have to be changed, because in reality I have no desire whatsoever to be a man, I want to be a superhero woman! So here are the top 5 reasons why it would be totally kick-ass to be Iron Man (WOMAN). 

Me after a long day at work.

1. BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOYGIRL: Money makes the world go round, ca$h homie, yeah, dolla dolla bill y'all, etc. etc. You know what I'm talking about. Total financial freedom? Cash at your finger tips at all hours of the day? More money to buy books, and build yourself a sweet superhero costume? SIGN ME UP! Besides the obviously technology costs I would spend I would also spend my billions of dollars on: (1) Kittens (2) Clothes (3) Books - as already mentioned (4) And anything else I could get my billionaire hands on. As for the whole playboygirl part, I would say, let's get me a private jet and instead of pretty men dancing around for me, give me some Disney movies and a bunch of kittens to hug and play with. 
2. REPLUSOR RAYS: You know what I'm talkin' about. Those shiny rays that shoot out from Iron Man's plams, totally awesome, right? I mean, the possibilities for that kind of technology are endless, but I know one thing for sure, it would make shaking hands very interesting indeed. 
3. MAGNETIC CHEST PLATE: I know, it may be a little creepy to have this sunken hole in the middle of your chest (reminds me a LOT of this, horrible, I know), but if it's keeping you alive from shrapnel reaching your heart, then I'm all for it. Make the best of a bad situation, that is what Tony did, so if I were him (her) I would be all for it. After the iron suit is made, then it just acts as complete power/a real fashion statement, am I right? Or am I right?
4. SMARTYPANTS: Obviously to be able to make your own body suit of superhero proportions, you gotta have the brains to do it, and that's an ideal reason as to why anyone would want to be Iron (Wo)Man. You can amaze everyone with your witty snarky-Stark remarks easy peasy. Why, you ask? Because you're the smartest smartypants out there, and you're kicking ass as Iron (Wo)Man!
5. AVENGERS: Finally you get to be a part of this crew, and who wouldn't want to be a part of the cool gang?
   
   
   
   Remember, Mondays are Top 5 Reasons days, so stay tuned for more.

Friday Favorites #6

I bought a satchel bag when I was in Rome last year and have been using it ever since, but I'm thinking, maybe I should get some sort of back up. Love this one for sure.

(via: "Blog On Satchel" on Modcloth)

Cute kittens win me over all the time.

(via: asya baranova)

Gettin close to Halloween! 1923

(via: Trevira)

Star Wars yoga!

(via: robosborne Etsy)

"Gotham Vixens" by Kevin Wada

(via: kevin wada art blog)

"The Siren Girl" by Kareena Zerefos

(via: kareenzerefos.com)

Upcycling! Wish I knew how to do it.

(via: Etsy)

P.S. Happy I Love Yarn Day!