Short Cuts: A Brief Exercise in Time Travel...

Redartz:  Hello once again! Ready for a bit of fun, mixed with a little introspection? Anyone who has watched the CW's "DC Legends of Tomorrow" will understand today's question. Which is: 

Through some miracle of time divergence, we each have been granted a 1/2 hour to visit with your 12-year-old self. Aside from the obvious ("Set aside that copy of Hulk 181 and don't lose it", "Invest in Microsoft"), what would you say to yourself?  

If I had the chance to chat with 12 year old Redartz, I'd tell him (me?) not to be so concerned about what other kids think, and to be happy with yourself. I'd advise to worry less and to take more chances.  And, I'd recommend not to burn those GI Joe figures. 

Now what would you talk about? 

One additional note: after completing this post I learned of the passing of Steve Ditko. Brilliant artist, great storyteller and possessor of a boundless imagination. Steve, with Stan, gave me a hero in Peter Parker, stoking a lifelong love for comics. For this, and for so much more, thanks Steve. Be at peace.

Two Questions: Generational Communication and Cinematic Initiation...

Redartz:  Welcome, friends: here's a couple of questions for you to ponder...

1.  How would you convince a potential fan today of the greatness of Bronze Age comics? Our hobby seems to be growing in recent years, attracting interest from people way too young to remember the Bronze age of comics. Perhaps it's the film franchises, maybe it's the television series. Could be the attraction of the Walking Dead and other popular series. Anyway, if you wanted to persuade one of these 'rookies' to sample some Bronze age bounty, what would you say? Is there a particular story or series you'd point them to? Or is there some feature of the era that helps it stand out? How would  you bend them towards Bronze, as opposed to sampling Silver, going Golden or craving Copper?

2. Do you remember the first movie you saw at the cinema?  Think back to when an outing to the movies was a pretty special event. Can you recall that first time you entered a theater, sat transfixed in the darkness, and was dwarfed by the Big Screen? In my case, it was "Mary Poppins": my parents took my brother and I to the Circle Theater in Indianapolis ( an hour's drive from home) to see Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in 1910 London. We both loved it, so much so that we were soon gifted with the soundtrack LP (which Dad was forced to play pretty frequently). 
What was your introduction to the magical world of film?

Chew the Fat: "You Know Your're a Bronze Ager When..."

Redartz:  Hello, everyone! It's another opportunity to "chew the fat" here at BitBA. And for our discussion today, we owe thanks to our pal Colin Bray! Colin recently commented via email that while moving some comics, he wished he had "invested in short boxes rather than long boxes". He then stated his impression that this thought was "such a sign of (his) age", and wondered how others among us might  be showing our Bronze age. And  so, our question:" You know you're a Bronze Ager when...". Have you had any thoughts or experiences that make you stop and think "well, that dates me a bit". Perhaps your kids or spouse recognize your Bronze age origins showing and give you a friendly nudge, wink or sideways look. Mine do...

For instance, I show my "Bronze age" at the movies, when I'm barraging my wife with minutiae about the Easter eggs in the latest Marvel film offering. "That sign read Milgrom, he was a writer/ artist!" "Ooooh, that's Mantis, she first appeared in Avengers!" " Hey, you see that? That's an Infinity Stone. Thanos is after those!"  You get the idea. And to be fair, my wife is a great sport about it, and actually seems to enjoy being told all the background data about whatever she just watched. 

She also recognizes my "Bronze age" whenever I take the wheel of her car. She has Sirius satellite radio (my old wheels have the old fashioned broadcast radio), and the driver always gets to choose the station. It's usually the 70's station or the 80's station. Ah well, it's the music of my youth. I can't help it...

So what about the rest of you? How do you all "show your Bronze Age"?