I hate to be the one to break this news to you, but every year a world mystery convention is held. This convention is called The Bouchercon, after Anthony Boucher, noted writer and critic. The awards given at this convention are called, you guessed it, the "Anthonys." Now mystery writers are as a rule not inclined to civil litigation. On the other hand, they have been plotting foul deeds for well over a century and know more than most people how to plot a crime, dispose of a body and get away with. You might actually be better off tangling with those Broadway people. Maybe you should call your next awards...the Izzys.

5 Tonys = "I love you madly."


4 Tonys = "I think I love you."


3 Tonys = "I like you."


2 Tonys = "You're just not my type."


1 Tony = "Please stop calling me."


0 Tonys = "I'm getting a restraining order!"

Our world, the world of sunshine and endeavor and hope, they call "Dayside." Their world, the time of shadows and darkness and terror unseen, they call the "Nightside."

...it's neat to see that, at a spry 79, Smilin' Star is just as wisecrackingly cool a raconteur as you'd always hoped. Here he raps with movie director Kevin Smith (Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back)--a comic-book writer himself--about creating Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, and so many other immortal heroes. The bonus goodies--home movie footage, an interview with Lee's wife, Joan--are simply delightful. Like the man said: make mine Marvel!"

In his "bioautography," as Lee calls it, celeb chronicler Mair offers all the hard facts in small, italicized passages, while Lee provides the flavorful meat in his own gregarious manner. The book is a little light on those aforementioned facts, but like the master storyteller he is, the former Stanley Lieber traces his life from Manhattan tenements to World War II to top of the four-color world with the same punch, wit, and style that made his comics such fun to read.

"Quorn," an edible, nutritious fungus that its manufacturer says looks and tastes "like chicken," made its U.S. debut in January from the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical house AstraZeneca. Quorn (also known as mycoprotein) is sold as chicken-like nuggets or in lasagna or as a ground beef-like substance and is high in protein and fiber and low in calories. Said a sports nutritionist quoted by the Associated Press: "I think it's got a lot of potential. We just have to make sure 'fungus' is not going to appear on the label." [Miami Herald-AP, 3-3-02]

I thought a comment you made about being a baseball fan was curious. You say you could plop down in front of the TV and watch a game. To me, baseball is not a TV sport. Football is. Hockey is. Auto racing is. Baseball is not.

Baseball is always a lot better listening to it on the radio. One of the things I love about the spring and summer (for the past eight years anyway) is listening to Lanny Frateri, Bob Walk, Greg Brown, and Steve Blass call the Pirates games on KDKA. There's just something more authentic and romantic listening to a game on the radio as opposed to watching it on TV.

Speaking of which, you mentioned how you won't go to the Jake to see the Indians. That's too bad. I was there during the 1999 season and it's one of the best trips I've ever taken. It was also one of the best games I ever saw. That's neither here nor there. If you and the family want to catch a major league game, you might want to consider a trip to the Steel City. I imagine it can't be more than three hours away. PNC Park is as a good a ballpark as the Jake and its view is gorgeous. Not only that, but the Buccos are fielding a pretty good team so far so if you and the family ever get the chance, you could take a day trip or an overnighter to catch a Pirates game. I myself plan a couple of trips down there this year. I'm also psyched to catch our new minor league team, the Washington Wild Things. Play ball!

I'm glad someone else is reading the Spider-Man/Sinister Six novels. I thought I was the only one.

If you enjoyed REVENGE OF THE SINISTER SIX, you'll love SECRET OF THE SINISTER SIX. It's as good as Revenge. All the characters are true to themselves. It has a smack-down drag out battle on top of the Empire State Building during the blizzard of the century. Castro even fits it into continuity. One of the things I loved about it was the Gentleman's ultimate plan. I won't say anything else because I don't want to spoil it.

It only had two problems. I'm not sure if you noticed, but Castro has a habit of sticking in pop-culture references, Mr. Glass from Revenge being one of them. Usually, they're pretty cool, but the one at the end of Secret is kind of silly and intrusive. You'll see what I mean.

Secondly, one of Marvel's iconic characters is referred to as "The Old Soldier." Castro does this to keep his identity confused or hidden, and it works. The only problem is that I don't see this character as an "Old Soldier." Once again, you'll see what I mean and I can't wait to see your thoughts on it.

GATHERING OF THE SINISTER SIX has to be one of the best uses of Mysterio I've ever seen. Bubble-Head is a favorite of mine. I think he looks cool, and Castro makes Mysty as dangerous and deadly as Doc Ock, the Green Goblin, and Venom ever were. The "guy named Joe" also puts in an appearance.

All three books are as good as your Captain America book, good company all around. You're lucky, though. I read Gathering when it came out in early 1999 and had to wait until last year to read the second one because of Marvel's legal problems with the publisher. Readers now don't have to wait as long as I did.