Carmine Infantino, R.I.P.

I met Mr. Infantino several years ago at the Pittsburgh Comicon. I took a picture of him, but I can't find it at the moment. He autographed a picture of The Flash that I had printed out.

From IGN --

The comic book world lost another legend today, as news broke that legendary comic book artist Carmine Infantino passed away at age 87.

Infantino began his career in the early 1940s and would go on to co-create some of the most recognizable characters in superhero comics, including Barry Allen (Flash), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Black Canary, Elongated Man, Deadman, and Animal Man. He'd become most revered for his work with the Flash, where he helped introduce Barry Allen in Showcase #4 in 1956 along with the sleek red and yellow costume that we still see today in DC's New 52. He also co-created many of the Flash's signature rogues, like Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, Captain Cold, and Gorilla Grodd.

Infantino should also be noted for his stint as an editorial director at DC (and later publisher), where he would be instrumental in bringing on creators that would ultimately create some of their signature works at the company. People like Jack Kirby, Denny O'Neil, Dick Giordano, and Neil Adams were all hired away from other publishers under Infantino's watch, launching a new era of creativity at DC Comics as it headed into the 1970s.

Artist George Perez posted on his Facebook, "So sad to learn of the passing of another comic book legend. Carmine Infantino was one of the great influential artists in the history of the medium and I will always look upon his Adam Strange, Flash and Space Museum stories as wondrous examples of fantasy made even more magical at the hands of a master. RIP, Carmine."

Later in his career, Infantino would go on to work on titles like Star Wars and Nova, until retiring from sequential work to begin teaching at the School of Visual Arts during the 90s. Infantino remains one of the most influential figures to ever grace comics, and our thoughts are with his friends, family, students, and fans.

Roger Ebert, R.I.P.

From TMZ --

Roger Ebert -- one of the most famous movie critics of all time -- died today after a battle with cancer.

He was 70 years old.

Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002. Four years later, doctors removed part of his lower jaw, preventing him from speaking and eating.

However, Ebert continued to write movie reviews.

Ebert is a legend in Hollywood who popularized the use of the "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" ratings system.

Ebert's movie reviews were considered to be the most influential in town.

Aside from writing movie critiques for the Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years, he also hosted "At The Movies" from the early 80s until 2006.

Ebert was famously joined on the show by fellow critic Gene Siskel, who passed away in 1999.

After Siskel's death, Ebert was joined the show by Richard Roper.

Evil Easter Bunnies

I hope everybody is enjoying their Easter so far.

Here's some Easter Bunnies to get you in the holiday mood.

HaHa!!! Ozzy!!!

Happy Easter!

Me, the wife and the boy are going over to the in-laws for some great food later today. It should be swell! Hope everyone has a great Easter.

Here's some random pictures I found on the interwebs.

Peter Cottontail

I had a request to re-up this share I did back in 2010. Get it while you can.

Peter Cottontail

Harry Reems, R.I.P.

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St. Patrick's Day T-Shirt

Top 'o the morning to ya!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe St. Paddy's Day! I don't have anything planned to celebrate the holiday. Just doing laundry and cleaning the house. I'm a pretty boring person. :)

Goodwill Finds

I went to my local Goodwill on friday and this is what I came home with:

Two giant blow mold pumpkins for $2.00 each. They are both made by Empire Plastics. I don't see a date on them, but the one with the black stem looks older.

 I also bought this paperback book for 35¢. Faster than a Speeding Bullet: An Informal History and Quiz of Radio's Golden Age. It was released by Playboy Paperbacks in 1980.

Not too shabby for less than five bucks!

Autumn Eats Near The End Of Winter

Back in October I posted some reviews of seasonal food called "Autumn Eats". One of the things I looked for, but never found, were Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles. Well, I finally found them at Big Lots for $1.00 a can. Better late than never. I must say I was kind of apprehensive about pumpkin flavored potato chips. But, they were really good. I might have to go back and pick up a couple more cans.

Till Death Do Us Part

My niece and her fiance got married this weekend. The wedding was originally going to be in October with a Halloween theme, but they moved it up. Since they already had skull decorations picked out, that's what they went with. The theme for the wedding was "Till Death Do Us Part" and the colors were black and red.

I didn't make it to the wedding, but i went to the reception. It was really nice and a good time was had by all. When they introduced the families of the bride and groom, the DJs played the Addams Family theme. Here's a few photos --

The wedding cake.

Every table had one of these tall vases with skull garland wrapped around them and giant black and red feathers.

These little black boxes with a plastic skull ring tied to them and filled with candy were at every seat.

I saw a couple of kids going from table to table collecting the skull rings.