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July 17th, 2008
10:13 pm - News for the week of July 17, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, July 17, 2008.
Our Summer Bargain Back Issue Sale starts in one week.
We now carry Warhammer and Warhammer 40K. Check out the GAMING section for more info.
This week we have our usual sections on NEWCOMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTSboth in the store and in the larger community, what's ON eBAY, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay )
( Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/hungry.gif) hungry
Current Music: Stand by REM
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July 10th, 2008
06:16 pm - What's New On July 10, 2008.
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, July 10, 2008.
New Comics THIS week shipped TODAY, Thursday, July 10th.
New Comics NEXT week will ship on Wednesday, July16th, as normal.
This week we have our usual sections on NEWCOMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTSboth in the store and in the larger community, what's ON eBAY, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favoritecomic or game.
( NEW COMICS )
( New Games )
( Events )
( Current Ebay Listings )
( Featured Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
We also blog (semi-) regularly at MySpace and LiveJournal, so check us there, too!
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/happy.gif) happy
Current Music: Radiohead - In Rainbows
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July 3rd, 2008
10:28 pm - What's New on July 3, 2008!
Happy Independence Day everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, July 3, 2008.
We will be CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, July 4th, and reopen for normal business on Saturday, July 5th.
NEW COMICS next week will ship on Thursday, July 10th.
This week we have our usual sections on NEWCOMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTSboth in the store and in the larger community, what's ON eBAY, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favoritecomic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay )
( Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL. Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/stressed.gif) rushed
Current Music: Big Mouth by Morrissey
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June 26th, 2008
06:12 pm - What's New on June 26, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, June 26, 2008.
FREE RPG DAY was a big success. Special thanks to George Claxton for running two Traveller demos. If you missed it, and there are some RPGs you were hoping to checkout, be sure to come to our Sixth Anniversary Party, coming in September.
This week we have our usual sections on NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTS both in the store and in the larger community, what's ON eBAY, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: dorky
Current Music: Love Surrounds Me by Dennis Wilson
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June 19th, 2008
08:55 pm - What's New On June 19, 2008. (The last day of Spring!)
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, June 19, 2008.
This Saturday, June 21st, is FREE RPG DAY! We'll be giving away samples from over a dozen different publishers. Look in UPCOMING EVENTS for more details.
We also have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTS both in the store and in the larger community, what's ON eBAY (including info on some beautiful used graphic novels), and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay )
( Featured Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: busy
Current Music: Roslin & Adama from Battlestar Galactica Season 2 soundtrack
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June 12th, 2008
10:56 pm - What's New for June 12, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, June 12, 2008.
Our Friday Release Party and Saturday Game Day to celebrate therelease of D&D's FOURTH EDITION were both big successes. Thanks to the hardy souls who came by for cake and adventure!
We're following up this big gaming event with another: FREE RPG DAY on Saturday, June 21 (the week after next.) Look in UPCOMING EVENTS for more details.
We have just picked up a huge haul of used GNs, which we'll be putting out on the shelves over the next few days. Come by the store or check out what's ON eBAY to get some great deals on some sweet books.
We also have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, UPCOMING EVENTS both in the store and in the larger community, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: You Star by Eliot Smith
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June 5th, 2008
08:58 pm - What's New For June 5, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, June 5, 2008.
FOURTH EDITION D&D IS HERE!
Here's what we're doing to celebrate:
1) We are opening for fifteen minutes TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT for anyone (besides us) who can't wait a moment longer to buy their fourth edition books.
2) We are throwing a Release Party TOMORROW, Friday June 6, starting at 6:00 PM.
3) The day after tomorrow (Saturday June 7) is World Wide D&D Day. We will run a new adventure, INTO THE SHADOWHAUNT, for customers here in the store.
Check out the UPCOMING EVENTS section for more info.
We also have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay )
( Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/excited.gif) excited
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May 29th, 2008
05:28 pm - What's New On May 29, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, May 29, 2008.
New comics for this week shipped today. New comics for next week will ship on Wednesday as usual.
We are throwing a Release Party for D&D's new Fourth Edition when it goes on sale, Friday June 6--Only EIGHT DAYS from now!
World Wide D&D Day is Saturday, June 7, now only NINE DAYS away. We will run a new adventure, INTO THE SHADOWHAUNT, fo rcustomers here in the store.
Check out the UPCOMING EVENTS section for more info.
We also have our usual sections for this week's NEWCOMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently,and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay Listings )
( Featured Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Meat Is Murder by the Smiths
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May 17th, 2008
05:11 pm - What's New on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Saturday, May 17, 2008.
WorldWide D&D Day is Saturday, June 7, now only three weeks away. We will running the new adventure Keep On The Shadowfell for customers here in the store. We will also be throwing a Release Party for D&D's new Fourth Edition on Friday June 6. Check out the UPCOMING EVENTS section for more info.
We have (finally!) received a new shipment of Ramune and Pocky--including Rum Raisin & Blueberry Crush flavors. We also have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently,and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics & GNs )
( GAMES )
( EVENTS )
( eBAY )
( REVIEW )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/satisfied.gif) satisfied
Current Music: Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes
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May 8th, 2008
09:36 pm - What's New for May 8, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, May 8, 2008.
FreeComic Book Day was a big success this year. We had a very busy day, and we gave away almost all of the free comics that we had. Thanks to everyone who stopped by .
World Wide D&D Day is now only 30 days away. Check out the UPCOMING EVENTS section for more info. We have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( eBay Store )
( Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: excited
Current Music: Morrissey
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May 1st, 2008
09:45 pm - What's New For May 1, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, May 1, 2008.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS THIS SATURDAY!
Don't forget to come and get yours! Check out the current and UPCOMING EVENTS section for more info. We have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( Events )
( Our eBay store )
( This week's review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: rushed
Current Music: Plenty More by Squirrel Nut Zippers
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April 24th, 2008
06:07 pm - What's New on April 24, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, April 24, 2008.
We have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, current and UPCOMING EVENTS, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( Games )
( Events )
( eBay )
( Book Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: full
Current Music: Wow by Kate Bush
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April 20th, 2008
05:59 pm - News for April 20, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Sunday,
April 20, 2008.
We have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals,
current and UPCOMING EVENTS, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite
comic or game.
New COMICS This Week:
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( EVENTS )
( eBay )
( Review )
See you at the store!
MSD. </span>
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with
anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you
see us online at AOL.
We also blog (semi-) regularly at MySpace and
LiveJournal, so check us there, too!
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: working
Current Music: You're A Star by the Killers
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April 17th, 2008
02:32 am - Fun Home and Stuck Rubber Baby
A couple of weeks ago I met Alison Bechdel when she spoke at Amherst College about her comic Fun Home and I asked her about her influences and inspirations as a cartoonist. (Looking at Fun Home, I don’t see any signs of influence by, say, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby or John Romita.) She mentioned a few people, in particular Howard Cruse, one of the first openly gay cartoonists, and his mid-90s graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby. I was surprised by how few of the people, who were there to listen to this gay cartoonist talk about a comic she had written and drawn about a formative period in her life, had read, or even heard of, Howard or his book.
Stuck Rubber Baby differs from Fun Home in several ways. It is entirely black and white, without the color wash Bechdel uses. The art is more modeled, with Cruse working to evoke the third dimension in a way that Bechdel does not. Most centrally, though, Bechdel presents her story as a memoir, narrated by an unnamed and invisible author explicitly reconstructing her past and presenting it to the reader, perhaps as much for her own benefit as for ours. Cruse, on the other hand, disclaims autobiography. While his book reads as a roman a clef, and was apparently inspired by his own lived experience, the story itself is presented by a fictional narrator, who appears as a character in the story.
One of the main appeals of Fun Home, one shared by other autobiographical comics such as Pekar’s American Splendor or Kochalka’s American Elf, is the immediacy Bechdel’s confessional approach generates—this story is something personal that she has chosen to bare publicly. Moreover, her book does not run chronologically. Instead, she circles around the mysteries of her childhood and her family’s secrets.
Stuck Rubber Baby’s strengths, however, are those of a discrete narrative, both in that it is separated from its author and thus maintains his privacy, and also in that it is a distinct story. It flows from beginning through to the end, carrying us along in the lives of its characters. It immerses us not only in the personal drama of a young man coming to terms with his gay identity, but also of his milieu, Mississippi in the early sixties as he and his friends become involved in the civil rights movement. The convenience of fiction allows Cruse present a true picture not just of a man, but of a moment in history, without having to limit himself strictly to his own experiences. It is true to life because it is not true to a life.
One reason Fun Home has garnered so much attention is that people who are interested in good stories about gay experiences, or in engaging autobiographies, or in well-crafted comics can all read and enjoy it. Stuck Rubber Baby, with its gripping subject matter, gorgeous art, and rich characters, casts a similarly wide net. People who loved reading Bechdel’s book owe it to themselves to discover Cruse’s neglected classic.
Current Location: home
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/thoughtful.gif) thoughtful
Current Music: Beethove's Ode To Joy
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April 14th, 2008
08:11 pm - News for April 14, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, April 10, 2008. (only four days late....)
We have recently heard about a number of interesting events either going on now or coming up soon here in the Valley. Check our EVENTS section for the latest info.
We have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, what we have ON eBAY currently, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with
anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you
see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: hungry
Current Music: Sound of Milwaukee by Fatboy Slim
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April 10th, 2008
09:47 pm - Report on Recent Events
Over the past two weeks, Modern Myths has taken part in three events outside the store.
In the last weekend of March, we set up a booth at Conbust 8 at Smith College. Conbust is a small convention organized by Smith students and held in Seelye Hall in the heart of the Smith campus. The con tends to focus on manga, anime, and web comics, but there are panels on subjects from designing believable imaginary worlds to costume design to the Joss-verse, as well as movies, games, and dancing. We have been pleased to take part in every Conbust since we opened, and our sales this year were the best ever.
Then, on April 2, I went to Amherst College, where Alison Bechdel gave a talk about her book Fun Home and her ongoing webcomic Dykes To Watch Out For, and other projects in the works. A crowd about 50 people came to the Cole Auditorium (called the Red Room for a carpet the color of a Star Fleet security guard's shirt) and listened and asked questions for about an hour. Then Alison sat and signed books for everyone who lined up. I’m happy to report that we sold about 20 of her books on the spot. We’d like to thank Alison for allowing us to set up shop, and to Alex and Lenore for organizing a great evening.
Finally, last weekend, we went to ICON 28, at SUNY Stonybrook on Long Island. This is a fabulous show, with something for pretty much every sort of fan out there, from SF to fantasy to comics to manga and more. The show is big, about 5,000 people, but not overwhelming, and very well-organized. We have set up on their dealer’s floor for four years now and always done very well. This year was no exception. This con is well-worth driving a few hours to attend.
See you at the store!
MSD
P.S. Fun Home is the selection for this month's meeting of our book club. Thanks to Alison's graciousness, we have a number of signed copies available here in the store. (As a matter of policy, we never charge extra for autographed books.)
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: Candombe Mulatto by Viva Quetzal
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March 29th, 2008
02:09 pm - News for March 29, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, March 27, 2008. Exciting News: ALISON BECHDEL and MARJANE SATRAPI will be in the area next week giving free talks. Check the UPCOMING EVENTS section for more details.
We also have our usual sections for this week's NEW COMICS and Graphic Novels, recent GAMING arrivals, and an in-depth REVIEW of a favorite comic or game.
( New Comics )
( New Games )
( EVENTS this week )
( Featured Review )
As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/uncomfortable.gif) sick
Current Music: Hello Earth by Kate Bush
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March 22nd, 2008
05:37 pm - Belated photos
Hello everyone:
Over the past month, I have taken pictures at a couple of events, but haven't had the time to sort out the technical glitch that kept me from downloading them from the camera. So, even though these aren't quite timely anymore, I wanted to post them here for two reasons: first, to get in the habit of posting short write-ups with pictures when we hold events in the store or go to conventions; and second, to thank you to the folks who made them possible. (The photos are behind cuts, to spare your memory caches.)
The first event was Total Confusion, from February 21 to 24. This is a four day gaming convention, founded over two decades ago and held this year in Mansfield, MA. This year we decided to try it our luck setting up in their dealer's room, and we're happy to report that the con was a big success, and great fun, too. The organizers ran the show smoothly, there were lots of fun games to play, and (best of all) Jim and I actually got some down time to play games ourselves. While it's a bit of a drive from western Mass, we'll definitely be back next year.
The other event was the James Sturm signing here in the store on March 11. Mr. Sturm came down from the Center For Cartoon Studies in Vermont along with half a dozen of his students. A nice crowd turned out to meet him, including some local comics creators. After chatting for awhile and checking out each other's work, the whole crew sat down and started jam sketching together, each working on a drawing for a few minutes before passing it along to the next person. It was a great evening, and we hope James (and his students) come back soon.
See you at the store!
MSD
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Music: Pray For The Girls by Frank Black
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March 21st, 2008
04:24 pm - Not One, but Two, Exciting Comics Events
Hello everyone,
We have just learned that two of our favorite comics creators will be making public appearances here in the Valley in the first week of April.
First, Alison Bechdel, creator of the long-running comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For, and the Eisner award-winning memoir Fun Home will be appearing on Wednesday, April 2, at 8:00 PM, in the Red Room at Converse Hall at Amherst College.
Second, Marjane Satrapi, author-illustrator of Persepolis, an account of her early life growing in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution which has been adapted into a celebrated film, will be speaking on Thursday, April 3, at 7 PM in John M. Green Hall at Smith College.
As far as we know, these events are both free and open to the public. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.
See you at the store!
MSD
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: excited
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March 20th, 2008
08:24 pm - News for March 20, 2008
Hello everyone! Here's our update for Thursday, March 20, 2008 (the Vernal Equinox!) Yesterday's rain, and Jim's departure for the Comics Pro meeting in Las Vegas, have led us to extend the Annual Winter Bargain Sale until next Monday.
That's all for this week. As always, please let us know if you have questions or we can help with anything, just e-mail us at modernmyths(at)aol.com, or feel free to IM if you see us online at AOL.
Thanks, and see you in the store!
-Michael Dow
Modern Myths, LLC
Current Location: 34 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/sam/tired.gif) tired
Current Music: The Light From A Cake by Camper Van Beethoven
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modernmyths's journal
