I'll admit it: I'm not a huge comic book fan. I just never got into going to a comic store and digging through the racks. I wouldn't even know where to begin! It's a shame, because comic books and graphic novels and the like are a great medium. They're probably one of the more influential types of stories today. However, most of my knowledge of comic book characters come from the movies. And, while I was Batgirl for Halloween this year, it was more because they had the costume in my size than because of any love for the character. In fact, I didn't even know her secret identity! (A collegue just informed me that Batgirl's idenity is Barbara Gordon, Commissionor Gordon's daughter. You learn something new every day!)

But now Marvel Comics are putting their issues online. For a fee, you can read all about the adventures of the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, and all of the other loveable mutants and heroes. This is pretty cool, at least in my opinion. I mean, I would never be able to track down issue number 4 where Spidey's suit is the wrong color (totally made that up, by the way, I have no idea what color Spiderman's suit is in issue 4), but if it's online, maybe I would look it up. I like when things are easy and accessible. And then I can read up on all the crazy backstories that are probably awesome. Plus, it would give me something else to do at work ... clearly, for research purposes only, of course.

So, how do you like your comic books? Would you read them online, or is part of the joy getting the ink stains all over your skin/putting Silly Putty on the frames to pull up the image? (Do people even still do that anymore? Wow, suddenly I feel old.) What comic books have you read lately? Who's your favorite superhero and why? And who do you think is superior, Batman or Superman? My vote is for Superman. Without his utility belt, Batman would be nothing.

Well, those TV writers are still on strike ... but they're talking again! They're hoping for a pay increase, and they might actually get it. That's excellent, because I know I for one am going crazy without new programs. And if the strike goes on for a lot longer, it might even affect movies. I don't like the sound of that one bit. No TV and no movies makes Jessica a dull girl. (Oh, for all you out there who aren't movie nerds like I am, that was a reference from The Shining, which is an old movie--and an awesome book, by the way--so at least you can rent it if the strike goes on.)

I'm certainly glad that the writers might be back to work soon. But there is one thing that's been nagging me about the strike. (OK, one other thing besides the leaving us without new TV episodes.) These people are writers. And, while I'm sure we all have different opinions of the quality of TV shows, these are good writers, more or less. So what's with all the boring signs? "Writer's Guild of America on Strike!" Yeah, that's creative.

Come on, WORDians. If you were a Hollywood writer who was on strike (and if you were a Hollywood writer, you certainly would be on strike. We don't like scabs. Solidarity, brother!), what would your sign say?

Here's mine:

Writing? It's in the Scripture!

Uggh, I guess it's harder than it looks. But I bet you guys can do better! What would be on your signs?

Oh, and on a completely different note--tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. For all of you celebrating, eat some latkas for me! (I don't think I've ever used my kitchen, so I must enjoy the latkas vicariously.)

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Boys and girls!

Children of all ages!

READ Magazine is proud to present...

THE ONE...

THE ONLY...

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE!!!

(See this is where you applaud madly and scream with glee.)

Click here for Willie's goodness.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Please, remain calm.

Mr. Shakespeare has been delayed.

He will be here on Monday. Well not HERE... but here.

Please do not panic.

The time is near.

He is coming...

Recently, we got a hold of Joyce Carol Oates and asked her one question. We could have asked her more but, for some reason, we only asked her one. Hmm... that was probably pretty stupid of us. OK, well, we'll have to find her again sometime soon. But for now, we only have the one thing.

Ms. Oates, as you may know, is the author of such books as Freaky Green Eyes, Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, and most recently, The Gravedigger's Daughter. We asked her what her favorite Shakespeare play is. Shakespeare, as you may know, was a playwright who wrote such works as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Die Hard 4: Die Hard With Avengeance. Well, the first two anyway.

Ms. Oates responded thusly: 

My favorite of Shakespeare's tragedies is King Lear, which I have read and re-read numerous times. It is a great, demanding, profoundly moving work, with fairy-tale origins; its vision of evil, and of the power of "good" to transform evil, is searing.

Searing? Yes. Powerful? Yes. Hungry? No thanks, I had a nice lunch before.

Why are we talking about William Shakespeare? I dunno. I think the better question is: Why aren't you talking about William Shakespeare?

Think about it!

Then come back and check with us here on Friday. We've got something for you.

Ooh! Presents! Yayyyyyy!!!!!!!

Tis the season...
WORD