Top 13 Favorite Comic Books

Comic books have been an American cultural icon for many youths. Today, many adults read comic books. Maybe it’s because of the nostalgia or maybe because of cool characters, interesting stories, or great art. Or, maybe it’s because of our inner geek.

It’s difficult to come up with a Top 13 List of my favorite comic books. My interests in hobbies and comic books tend to go through cycles. Over the years, the entire comic book industry has changed. Of course, my favorite comics are ones that I had when I was young (Silver Age Comics of the 1960s and early 1970s).  So here’s my list—basically organized in reverse chronological order.

Deadpool (Marvel Comics). I don’t know how (or why) I didn’t catch on to this character earlier. Now, I can’t get enough of Wade Wilson, the talkative mercenary or merc with the mouth.

Madman (Dark Horse Comics/Image Comics). I’ve always enjoyed the artwork and character created by Mike Allred back in the early 1990s. It’s very cool and retro looking.

Spawn (Image). This comic by Todd McFarlane was very popular when it came out in the early 1990s and was supported by lots of cool action figures.

The Tick (New England Comics). I prefer the color editions of the comic book. “Spoon!”

Judge Dredd (Eagle Comics). When I think of the comic book, I also think about the Anthrax song, “I am the Law.”

Power Pack (Marvel Comics). I started reading this when it first came out in 1984 about four siblings who gain superhero powers who work with a race of horse like people to battle against a race of lizard like people.

Blue Devil (DC Comics). Another comic from 1984 in which a stuntman, Daniel Cassidy, gets fused into his Blue Devil superhero costume.

The Uncanny X-Men (Marvel Comic). The series and characters have always been pretty cool. When I started reading this comic, it was in the 1980s—when Storm had the Mohawk.

Archie/Betty and Veronica/Sabrina/Josie and the Pussycats (Archie Comics). All the comics from the Archie series from the 1960s and 1970s are classic.

Dennis the Menace (Fawcett Comics). I still remember the story in which Dennis and his family go to Washington D.C. and Dennis’s dad tells Dennis that the discoloration half-way up the Washington Monument was caused by a flood.

Casper/Richie Rich/Sad Sack/Hot Stuff/Little Dot (Harvey Comics). All the Harvey Comics series from the 1960s and 1970s are classic.

Silver Age Comics—Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Thor, Iron Man. X-Men (Marvel Comics). All the comics from Marvel during the 1960s and early 1970s are classic.

Silver Age Comics—Batman, Superman, Flash, Teen Titans, Metal Men (DC Comics). All the comics from DC during the 1960s and early 1970s are classic especially the ones with the Go-Go Checks.

Yard Sale and Networking Event

Tomorrow, I'll be hosting another Yard Sale and Networking Event. It's a yard sale, but I'll also be networking and trying to seek more career opportunities. The event can be found on Craigslist at http://newjersey.craigslist.org/gms/3242456095.html. Here's the Craigslist posting:

Fair Lawn, Yard Sale--Saturday, September 1, 2012 - $2 (Lexington Street)

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Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Accumulated a lot of stuff over the years--wife says, "It's gotta go!" Can't keep it because we need the room (and some extra money). 

We're still going through boxes of stuff that needs to go, but here's what we have so far:
Helmets and Retro Skateboard Decks
Trains (O Gauge)
Clothes, Ties, and Hats
Games, Toys, and other Kids’ Stuff
Twin Bed Sheets and Canopy
Dishes

From 208, take the Fair Lawn Avenue (West) Exit. At the light, go down Orchard Street. Make a right onto Rose Place, and continue halfway down Lexington Street—we’ll be on your right.

From River Road, Go east on Berdan Avenue towards Fair Lawn High School. Make a left onto Lexington Street and go halfway down—we’ll be on your left.

Accounting Classes for Fall Semester

I realize that my goal of an additional teaching certification is more of a long-term goal. To satisfy my short-term goal career goal, I have registered for two accounting classes—Intermediate Accounting and Cost Accounting.

Even though I already had a B.S. Degree in Accounting, I had retaken these classes as I was earning my teaching certification in Accounting and General Business many years ago. Now, I wanted to refresh my knowledge by taking them again.

Summer Semester Class

I already have NJ teaching certifications in Accounting, General Business, and Typewriting, but I wanted to earn another teaching certification in Mathematics. The additional certification will help improve my educational marketability. In April, I began the process of enrolling at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.

By the end of May, I had registered for a Precalculus class. Since I had taken two Algebra classes and a Precalculus at Thomas Edison State College, I was able to clear the prerequisite requirements for continuing my math classes at WPU.

I completed the class at the end of June and I’m satisfied with my (good) grade.

New Classes for January

I enrolled in two sewing classes at the Paramus (NJ) Jo-Ann fabric and craft store. My objective is to learn how to use a sewing machine so that I could do simple household repairs and create simple Halloween costumes.

After taking these classes, I have since purchased a Brother electric sewing machine from an online auction, cleaned it up, oiled it, and replaced the missing bobbin case. I used it to mend some clothes, make some curtains, and make a panda Halloween costume.