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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Friday, May 16, 2008
Ninety years ago, in 1918, Congress passed the Sedition Act of 1918, which made criticizing the government a crime that could send the offender to prison. It was a dark moment in American history, or, as President Bush would say, "the good old days."
Congress repealed the act three years later.
In other happier anniversary news...
In 1866, Charles Elmer Hires invented root beer. According to Wikipedia:
The drink was slow to catch on, but the Reverend Dr. Russell Conwell persuaded Hires to present his product at the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. To make it stand out, he called his drink "The Temperance Drink" and "the greatest health giving beverage in the world". Hires was active in the temperance movement, and it is believed that he wanted root beer to be an alternative to alcohol.
Almost a century later, in 1965, the Campbell Soup Company introduced SpaghettiOs into its Franco-American brand. The company discontinued the Franco-American brand in 2004 and now markets the product under the Campbell's name. From time to time, okay, about once a week, your Tipster will have a can of SpaghettiOs for lunch. I especially like the dinosaur-shaped pasta.
I usually wash it down with a cold root beer.
It's true. I am forever fourteen.
The best reason to celebrate this day?
It's Yvonne Craig's birthday!
I adore this lady beyond the crush I had and still have on her from her Batgirl days. She and her equally delightful sis Meridel have been guests at several Mid-Ohio-Cons and they are just two of the nicest folks ever to grace that event with their appearances. I love them madly.
Happy birthday, Yvonne!
It's also my pal Thom "Love and Capes" Zahler's birthday, but, though he does look awful cute in his Batgirl costume, it's just not the same for me.
Happy birthday, Thom!
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. Have a happy and safe weekend.
I'll be back on Monday with a full-size TOT.
Tony Isabella
<< 05/15/2008 | 05/16/2008 | 05/19/2008 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
Tony's Online Tips
840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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