Every now and then, we have one of those weeks that just feel so busy, hectic, frustrating. The reasons vary, but the feeling is often the same. Everything just seems so stressful from the moment you wake up until the moment you fall back into bed.
Naturally, a lot of those weeks tend to coincide with this time of year. The holidays are fast approaching. People are making travel plans, preparing Christmas lists, and organizing how they’ll carry out the festivities. Add work, school, and an ongoing pandemic to the mix and it’s a hell of a shit storm. It’s also weeks like this that help us appreciate New Comic Book Day even more.
When I was in college, this was often the time of year when a lot of projects were due. It was also when the professors often gave us tests and quizzes to make sure we didn’t coax through the holidays. It made for quite a few restless nights and I don’t know how I could’ve managed without new comics to look forward to. I even had a special stack of comics that I would often go back to when I just needed to decompress from it all.
The contents of that stack has changed over time, but every New Comic Book Day has given me a way to supplement it when necessary. For the past couple years, it has definitely been necessary. I get the senese we all need an escape more than usual and for me, new comics are a tried and true method that works. They also help ensure the stress of weeks like this don’t dampen my holiday spirits.
As of this moment, I am in the middle of one of those stressful weeks. I suspect I’m not the only one. As rough as it is now, rest assure we’re halfway through. Let New Comic Book Day help you make it to the weekend, knowing a nice holiday feast awaits us next week. To assist, here is my pull list and pick for the week. Enjoy and hang tough!
Every now and then, some news comes along that is so incredible and so exciting that words simply fail to convey the joy I feel. I could spend hours on end on multiple blog posts trying to do justice to those feelings and it would still fall short.
Just a couple days ago, some news came about with Disney’s annual Disney Plus Day that just filled my heart and soul with omega level joy. I’m still buzzing from it, so I’ll just say it outright.
Seriously, this is the kind of news you have to shake your head several times to be sure that it’s real. I’ve since lost track of how many times I’ve pinched myself or slapped my own face, on the off-chance that this is a dream. I’m now convinced that this is the real deal. The same X-Men cartoon that got me into X-Men and comics, in general, is coming back in all it’s 90s glory.
Now, rest assured I will be following this story. Before I wrote this, I began work on a script for a video on my YouTube channel. I have every intention of making that video a priority. It should cover the full breadth of my reaction, as well as my hopes and dreams for this series.
However, even before I could fully process my excitement, some assholes and whiny grifters began making content of their own. I won’t give their names or link to their content, but they’re the same assholes who whine about everything being “political” or “woke” or just plain “Too different/diverse for my liking.”
First off, fuck these people. Fuck them to the end of the multiverse.
Second, the very fact they’re whining about X-Men being “political” is definitive proof that they don’t know shit about X-Men or why this show was so groundbreaking. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who noticed that. On Twitter, stuff like this began popping up the day after the announcement.
Now, make no mistake. This sort of thing does nothing to temper my joy and excitement for this announcement. However, I’m already expecting asshole grifters like this to whine as loudly as the internet will allow, harping on everything they deem too ”political” for their liking.
They’ve done that with every franchise for the past six years and I don’t expect them to stop. Grifters will never stop, so long as there’s a grift to be maintained.
For that reason, I want to make one statement to these assholes and anyone who might take them seriously. Brace yourself because this might be a distressing revelation for some of you. It’s simply this.
X-Men was ALWAYS political.
I’ll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor, but it’s true. Take it from someone who has been following X-Men since Clinton Administration. As a franchise, a concept, and a narrative, it was always political to begin with.
It’s not about some handsome square-jawed demigod coming down to Earth and saving the day. It’s about people born different, using their extraordinary powers to find their place in a world that hates and fears them. It was always about minorities and their struggles. It was always about civil rights and social issues.
That’s not just my opinion. That’s exactly what Stan Lee and the creators of the original series have stated outright. It’s not exactly a secret, nor is it subtle. Hell, there are multiple episodes of the original show that belabor and explore that. It’s pretty overt, as it should be. After all, that’s what X-Men has always been about.
Now, I don’t expect this revelation to stop asshole grifters from doing plenty of grifting. I know the second someone in this show says something about social justice, racism, bigotry, or anything else that might offend you’re typical racist asshole, grifters are going to melt with the force of a trillion snowflakes. It’ll be infuriating and pathetic, but it will happen.
Never-the-less, I will NOT let that stop me from getting excited about this show, nor will I let it undermine everything I love about X-Men. This show is coming back in all its 90s glory and I, for one, am eager to celebrate!
Stay tuned for a more comprehensive reaction on my YouTube channel. In the meantime, let’s all just take a moment to appreciate this moment and the catchy opening theme that we’ll be humming until 2023.
I’m not a big traveler. I never have been too fond of long road trips or drives in general. I did used to enjoy flying, but that process has only gotten less and less convenient over the years for reasons I’m sure most already appreciate. That sentiment only got worse when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
That said, I do enjoy my regular vacations. I also enjoy getting away for a while, going somewhere far from home and just taking in new experiences. I’ve found that, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve only come to appreciate that even more.
However, there’s one aspect of travel that definitely has an overtly sexual connotation. That would be the so-called “Mile High Club.” For those who have been too sheltered or have just forgotten too much during lockdowns, the mile high club is shorthand for those who have had sex on a plane.
It’s not just a generic porno scenario. This club exists. People really do try to join it. I know people who have. Granted, not every experience is sexy or memorable. I even have one friend who tried and failed with his girlfriend at the time, but it was a disaster.
Like anything involving sex and intimacy, there’s a right and wrong way to do it. I get the sense most don’t know that way or just never get the opportunity. I don’t know if I ever will, but if I ever do meet the love of my life, I’m certainly going to raise the issue. Hopefully, she has an adventurous spirit.
Now that more people are traveling, I suspect the mile high club will be making a comeback over the next few months. If you’re going to try to join it, please be safe and be careful. At the same time, don’t be afraid to be a little bold. To that end, here are some Sexy Sunday Thoughts to inspire those who seek to join this rare and sexy club. Enjoy!
“The race to achieve orgasm is the only race where a tie is ideal.”
“Being strict parent always runs the risk of raising a future dominatrix.”
“In general, you’re living dangerously by hooking up with someone who has anger issues and loves rough sex.”
“The faces we make during orgasm are as close as we’ll ever get to being real-life emojis.”
“If hypnotism actually worked, then magicians and therapists would get laid more than rock stars.”
“If you’re serious about your health, then wouldn’t it make sense to find doctors sexy?”
“Like it or not, some of us exist because of premature ejaculation.”
There’s a lot of hate in this world. People hate others in such horrible ways for all the wrong reasons. It’s so damaging, destructive, and dehumanizing on so many levels. Hate is what causes otherwise decent people to commit gross atrocities against others. We should do whatever we can to reduce the amount of hate in this world.
All that being said, I fucking hate telemarketers.
Seriously, fuck every telemarketer on this planet.
There aren’t many targets of hate that are fully deserving of such hatred. Telemarkters are a select few. They’re right up there with spammers, hackers, and whoever keeps making insurance commercials. I still believe we should have compassion for our fellow humans, but if you’re going to hate anyone, hate telemarketers.
I bring this up because I’ve had more than my share of run-ins with them. Lately, there has been quite an uptick in both robocalls and telemarketers. Even though I repeatedly and angrily ask that I be put on the “Do Not Call” list, it doesn’t seem to stop them. They still call me and they find ways to make it seem like the call is coming from a local area.
We may not agree on much, as a society. Can we at least agree that these telemarketers are the fucking worst?
Now, I think I understand why there’s been such an uptick lately. In my area, there has been a noticeable uptick in people wanting to move in. I happen to live in a region where a lot of smaller, non-luxury style condos are going up and they’re located near some large retail centers. Since the pandemic, these types of units have been selling fast because they’re further from the city, they’re cheaper, and we have great internet. I’ve yet to see a unit stay on the market for more than two weeks.
Naturally, I’m getting a lot of calls from telemarketers asking if I’m willing to sell my current home or refinance. Most of them are pretty generic. Some are robocalls and some are just people trying to get my info. I hate every one of them, but at least with telemarketers, you can tell them to fuck off.
This leads me to a recent incident that I’d like to share. It involves a telemarketer who called me just after I’d gone to the gym and was still sore. I was not in the mood for their bullshit.
That didn’t stop them from calling.
It never stops them from calling.
However, rather than just hang up or cuss them out, I decided to mess with them this time. As soon as I realized this wasn’t a robocall, I decided that if I’m going to be annoyed by this shit, I might as well have some fun with it. How I went about that might have been in poor taste to some extent, but I don’t feel bad about it.
It went a little something like this:
Telemarketer: Hello! Am I speaking to Jack?
Me: Um…yes? Who is this?
Telemarketer: Hi! My name is [Asshole] and I’m with [Bullshit Company Name]. How are you?
Me: I’m fine. What’s this about?
Telemarketer: Well, we’re calling because we’re interested in helping you sell your house. We have…
Me: Really? WOW! That’s incredible! This is really something else. Please [Asshole], can I speak with your manager?
Telemarketer: Uh…what?
Me: Your manager. I’d love to speak to your manager right now. Because this is just so amazing.
Telemarketer: Why? What for?
Me: Well, I did not ask for this call. I did not consent to this call. And now I want to speak to your manager to tell them what an incredibly amazing asshole fuck you are. Please, transfer me. I’ll wait!
Telemarketer: Um…he’ll call you back.
Was I a little mean? Yes, I probably was.
Was I overly vulgar? Yes, I definitely was.
Do I feel bad about anything I said? No, I do not.
Again, I did not authorize this call. I did not consent to this call. I have repeatedly put my number on the “Do Not Call” list. These assholes still called me and wasted my time with this bullshit. As far as I’m concerned, if they’re not going to do the decent thing and respect my request, then I’m not going to bother being decent with them.
To whoever was on the other end of that call, I don’t apologize. I regret nothing. Fuck you. Get a job that doesn’t require you to harass people.
To anyone else who has ever fucked with a telemarketer, please share your experience and join me in hating these assholes like they deserve.
Last year sucked for everyone and everything. I know I’ve said that a lot over the past year, but it’s worth belaboring. The COVID-19 pandemic ruined a lot of things and it’s still doing so today. Even though we have vaccines and treatments, the disease is still raging, thanks largely to idiots who refuse to follow science.
However, I don’t want to bemoan that prolonged tragedy.
I want to be a bit more positive this time around. After all, the holidays are upon us. We should try to be more positive, if only to get into the spirit. We have even more incentive than usual. Unlike last year, we’re more able to travel and enjoy traditional holiday activities. If you were stuck at home last year for the holidays and had to change your traditions, that’s a big deal.
To that end, I’m happy to say that I’ve actually finalized some holiday travel plans this year. They’re actually a bit bolder than what I usually do for the holidays. For both Christmas and Thanksgiving, I usually visit family and we usually have a large family gathering to celebrate the season. We couldn’t do that last year and it was rough. The holidays just didn’t feel the same.
This year, however, we’re trying to make up for it. We’re planning a big Thanksgiving gathering that will bring together family we haven’t seen outside a computer screen in nearly three years. That gathering will require more travel than usual. For me, that involves getting on a plane for the first time since before the pandemic.
Now, I’m not usually a fan of flying. It’s not the flight itself that bothers me. It’s navigating the airport that I find so frustrating. However, after last year, I’ll gladly endure it to be part of this gathering.
I also encourage others to do the same. Even if you’re not a fan of air travel or long car rides, make the effort to get away for the holidays. Visit family and interact with them in ways you just can’t match through a computer screen. Get out there and make the most of the holidays.
To all the brave men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces, as well as those who have served, I thank you.
Today is Veterans Day. No matter what happens to be going on in the world socially, politically, or economically, we should all take a moment to commemorate those who have put their lives on the line for their country. It takes a special kind of strength to make that effort. It takes even more for someone to make the ultimate sacrifice.
As someone who has close relatives who served in the military, as well as grandparents who fought in World War II, I’ve seen that strength for myself. It’s worth celebrating and it’s worth honoring.
If you can, please consider donating to a military charity. There are plenty to choose from. Any amount helps. Veterans face a long list of challenges when they’re done fighting. For what they sacrificed, we should do what we can to help them.
In addition to donating, please take the time to thank those who have served in your family and your community. For what they’ve done and everything they’ve sacrificed, they deserve our gratitude and our respect.
We’re getting to that time of year in which easy to get stressed out. Once Halloween ends, everyone’s focus turns towards the holidays and the end of the year. Even if you’re not big on holiday festivities, it’s hard to avoid the impact on everyone around us. People aren’t just contemplating Christmas lists. They’re thinking about travel plans during Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, and family gatherings.
I love all of those things. I’ve already made major travel plans for the holidays this year. After being unable to leave my home state last year, I’m eager to make up for it. I don’t deny it’s stressful, but that’s exactly what I value New Comic Book Day even more this time of year.
Today is going to be a stressful day. This week is going to be stressful. This whole month is likely to be stressful in so many ways, some of which have nothing to do with the holidays. However, that feeling I get when I wake up early on a Wednesday morning, pour myself a cup of coffee, and read my new comics on my iPad is still as relaxing as ever. For just a brief moment, I’m as content as I’ll ever be during any time of year.
If you’re a comic book fan, I hope you all experience something similar. For the next couple of months, we’ll all need that more than usual. Don’t let the stress of this time of year damper your holiday spirit. Let a new stack of comics soothe you as only awesome comics can.
To that, here is my pull list and pick for the week. Relax and enjoy!
The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. This video is my spoiler-filled review of Marvel Studios’ “Eternals.” I’m well-aware that this movie was quite divisive among fans and critics, but I never let that sort of thing keep me from appreciating a movie, nor should anyone else. This is just my opinion of this very bold, very different kind of superhero movie. Enjoy!
It has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you the same. I take Christmas very seriously. I go out of my way to buy extra gifts and I often spend way more than I intend. However, I gladly pay that price because that’s how much I love the holidays.
Last year was a real challenge for obvious reasons. This year promises to be a bit more traditional and we should welcome that.
However, this year brings with it some new challenges, especially for those who just love waiting until the last minute to do their Christmas shopping. We all know people like that. You yourself might be like that. I understand that not everyone is inclined to be that proactive. There’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t think less of anyone who has a procrastination problem around the holidays.
That being said, you should make an exception this year. If ever there was a year in which you got your shopping done early, make it this one. The ongoing supply chain issues that we’ve all heard about will have an impact, regardless of whether you do your shopping online or go to a store.
This is not speculation.
This is a warning.
If you want to make sure you get all the gifts you hope to give, either for yourself or your loved ones, do your shopping now.
Don’t wait until Thanksgiving.
Don’t wait until the first week of December.
Do it now.
You family will thank you and your holiday experience will be less stressful overall.
Jack Fisher's Official Publishing Blog 