Table of Contents

RKYV # 32 {January 2010}

RKYV ONLINE LOGO - David Marshall {current}
RKYV ONLINE LOGO – r. j. paré {modified}
RKYV COMICS LOGO – Roy G. James {original}

Virtual Cover # 31
- Art by Delbert Hewitt, Jr. Featured Artist Review
- Layout by David Marshall – Delbert Hewitt, Jr.
- By r .j. paré
Interior Art
- By De Tourist, Engin Korkmaz, Lisa Poetry
Marie Mueller, r. j. paré, Yolande Gaspard, - By Frances Nichols Vargas, Eric Lawson,
Roger Price, Mike Grattan, Matthias Stephen Campbell, C. S. Cartier, r. j. paré
Crasso, Delbert Hewitt, Jr.
Family Life
Editorial Column - The Drunken Dragon Tavern
- “At the Outset: - By Christina Marchetti
A Few Thoughts from the Editor”
- By r. j. paré Pop Culture
- “Comic Book Review”
World View - By Brad Bellmore
- A Canadian Living in the USA
- By Tom Rossini - “Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons”
- By Pauline Paré
Health and Wellness
- A Father’s Message
- By James Gibson

Untitled – by De Tourist
 At the Outset

A Few
Thoughts from
the Editor
By r. j. paré

“Funny how my memory skips

While looking over manuscripts
Of unpublished rhyme,”

- A Hazy Shade of Winter, Simon & Garfunkel

[Winter] – a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness or adversity.

Well, I am not about to start this month off in that sort deep, blue funk!

< cough >

[January] – The first month of the Gregorian calendar. According to the Encyclopaedia
Britannica this month was named after Janus, the Roman God of all beginnings.

That’s a bit more like it, by Jove!

So, in order to help you cope with the winter doldrums, we here at RKYV ONLINE are
happy to share with you a compilation of January submissions. From returning
columnists Tom Rossini, James Gibson, Christina Marchetti, Brad Bellmore & Pauline
Paré – we have some interesting, informative and at times witty articles about politics
health, food, comics and television.
I am also quite happy to present this month’s selection of poetry from Frances Nichols
Vargas, Stephen Campbell, Eric Lawson, C. S. Cartier and myself. I hope you all enjoy
these vibrant and reflective lines of verse. Poetry, for me, is equal parts emotional
observation and reaction. It has the power to communicate thoughts and feelings in a
more visceral manner than would a purely, prosaic, record of fact.

No issue of RKYV would be complete without the Featured Artist segment. We are
fortunate this month to turn our spotlight on a talented illustrator and aspiring comic artist
– Delbert Hewitt, Jr. – Del took the time recently to correspond with us regarding art,
inspiration and the comic book field, I hope everyone enjoys the interview and the
artwork that Del has shared with us.

I am not fond of long farewells… and besides, you’ll see me again next month.

Until then, I remain

r. j. pare

[RKYV ONLINE acknowledges

that not all men are, in fact,
created equal.
Some, a magnificent few, are
editors.]

Wolverine © Marvel Comics – by Matthias Crasso

Twig the Wonder Kid – by Mike Grattan
 World view
A
Canadian,
Living in
the U.S.A.
By Tom Rossini
[photo manips by r. j. paré]

Haiti… What more, needs to be said?

We all know about the recent devastation related to Haiti and in particular to the
city of Port-au-Prince but I wanted to share my feelings with you about this tragedy. To
summarize, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.0, hit this small country on Tuesday,
12 January 2010 in late afternoon causing mass devastation. It was followed by 52
aftershocks that measured 4.5 or greater and as of yesterday 170,000 bodies have been
recorded. Port-au-Prince and Jacmal literally lie in ruin including the Presidential Palace,
the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail (
numerous criminal escaped immediately after the first earthquake).
 As you know many countries have sent emergency aid, money, equipment and
people to help this county and its people. People currently are living in tents, food is
barely being able to be supplied to the people who most need it due to impassable roads,
and there is a lack of medical care even though the USNS Comfort is offshore. The Red
Cross has stepped up its efforts in fast tracking out of country adoptions and in fact 100
children were just transported to Regina, Sask. on Jan 27 and another 100 or so will be
ready in the next few days. So, I sit here wondering why we need a tragedy like this to
put aside our differences and come together for the greater good. I even find it hard to
understand why people are protesting against rendering Aid to the people of Haiti.

Early on after the tragedy, RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines) again began its
regular itinerary by stopping at their private island in Haiti. Although it is not at all close
to the epicenter and the area was not at all damaged, many have stated that it was not
appropriate for RCCL to return so soon while people only 100 miles away are dying of
starvation, lack of medical care while its traveler’s bake in the sun while sipping on a
Mai-Tai. Does the public know that it was the people of Haiti who wanted RCCL to
again stop so that they had jobs to buy food, etc.?
 Also, RCCL has been donating approximately 120 palates of water and other
goods with each stop they make to that island and the ships have been using their
desalinization plants on the ship to produce drinkable water in bulk for the island as well.
So now to my discussion, well maybe not a discussion but questions that I have:

• Why is it that when the south was literally destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, there
was a lack of government support and international aid?

• Why is it that insurance companies are defaulting on making payments to those

houses etc destroyed during the hurricane?

Maybe I am not making sense to you

but I just don’t seem to understand why it is
hard for the USA to care, for themselves, as
much as they care about other countries.

Editor’s Note: I discovered some

interesting info, online, in regards to foreign
aid during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

[Excerpt from The Washington Post]

Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed
By John Solomon and Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writers

“… the U.S. government was turning down many allies' offers of manpower,
supplies and expertise worth untold millions of dollars. Eventually the United
States also would fail to collect most of the unprecedented outpouring of
international cash assistance for Katrina's victims.

Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash. But only
$40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction, according
to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aid went uncollected, including $400
million worth of oil. Some offers were withdrawn or redirected to private groups
such as the Red Cross. The rest has been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic
limits on how it can be spent.
In addition, valuable supplies and services -- such as cellphone systems, medicine
and cruise ships -- were delayed or declined because the government could not
handle them. In some cases, supplies were wasted.

The struggle to apply foreign aid in the aftermath of the hurricane, which has cost
U.S. taxpayers more than $125 billion so far, is another reminder of the federal
government's difficulty leading the recovery. Reports of government waste and
delays or denials of assistance have surfaced repeatedly since hurricanes Katrina
and Rita struck in 2005…”

It would seem that the Bush administration was so intent on maintaining an

appearance of strength, internationally, that they refused 100’s of millions of
dollars in aid. To the families of hurricane victims in the ravaged south, I would
suggest you have grounds for a lawsuit, if not criminal charges of neglect.

r. j. paré
Haiti Ablaze – by r. j. paré – digital paint & photo manip
 Health & Wellness

-A Father’s Message-
by
James Gibson
gibsonjs@mnsi.net

Jim and Sharon Gibson

Needed Changes

I was raised on vegetables which were plucked from our family garden and boiled and
overcooked by my Scottish mother. Between these meals, except on Sundays, I played
sports- hockey in winter and baseball in summer. I was slim, fit, and well nourished. But
by the time of my impending retirement from teaching some forty years later, like Jack
Sprat and his wife, I was overweight and my wife thin.

While my weight gain was probably the result of marital contentment, my wife’s
slimness was the result of Crohn’s disease; a condition diagnosed a short time after our
marriage. Thirty-two years later, and a year after my retirement, the disease inevitably led
to a prolonged hospital stay. Upon her release the doctor’s order was to “get some muscle
around those bones”. So, as a couple we hired a personal trainer and initiated needed
changes; my wife’s goal was to bulk up and mine to lose weight. For close to a year we
stretched to our toes, endured weight-bearing exercises as the trainer compelled us with
“just two more times” and investigated proper nutrition before finally deciding to
continue our regimen at home. Over time, we purchased a stationary bike, a glider, a
walker, and some stand-alone weights.

Motivation

Inexplicably, it’s sometimes difficult to get motivated to do something you know is good
for you, so the arrival of a letter from my aging father shortly after my retirement was
fortuitous. He pointed out a well-known statistic of the time- three out of five retirees
never live beyond two years after being introduced to the ‘comfortable rocker’: “It’s a no!
No! Regiment yourself to rising at a good hour and retiring in the same fashion. Make it a
rule rather than an exception,” he instructed.
He went on to write that eating patterns, plenty of walking, and consuming hobbies
would play a big part in whether I stuck around the Planet Earth and encouraged me to
pace, not abuse myself. “It is critical,” he noted, “to not neglect your put out of the heart
stresses. Take a coated aspirin daily. Stay on top of all ailments. Pick yourself a multiple
vitamin pill, take it regularly and move away from red meats. Substitute nuts and seeds
for snacking.” My father’s instructions might seem prescriptive to some but, you see, he
was convinced that the world could cut cancer in half with his diet: leafy vegetables,
greens, salads, fruits at least 5 times weekly; and 6 to 8 glasses of Crystal Spring water
along with skim milk every day. He stressed avoiding colas, tea, coffee, and milk
chocolate, and suggested turning to the multitude of herbal teas on the market.
“Adequate, sound sleep and you will enjoy the millennium soon to be with us,” he
concluded, along with, “I want to insure your retirement. You have a good head and you
both will do well to remember that ‘You are what you eat’.” Then he added a post script:
“Unfortunately, some people get a genetic kick-in-the-ass. Your mother is a sad example
of three generations of Alzheimer.” My father died a short time later from congestive
heart failure, a complication of diabetes, and my mother several years later after a twenty-
year bout with Alzheimer’s. The letter, plus the family history of Alzheimer’s disease and
diabetes motivated me then, and still do.

Maintenance

While I don't fully understand the mechanism, I

have noticed that mental activity along with brain
foods- blueberries (antioxidant), fish (omega-3
fatty acid), potatoes (B vitamin), broccoli (iron),
and almonds (E vitamin) - do appear to help me
retain mental sharpness. So, on a regular basis I
pay attention to what I eat and read material that
challenges my intellect. I also create and market
puzzles (see http://www.lpbyga.com) on topics
that cause me to think, such as other religions and
different cultures; and there’s no reason, for
instance, that others couldn’t exercise their mind
by creating puzzles for their children and
grandchildren. Others might also attempt some
prose and poetry about the things that interest
them. In my case, I joined the Writers Club of Windsor Untitled – by De Tourist
and Essex County to test out my writing skills and to
learn from the efforts of others, both young and old.

In addition to the efforts to stay mentally fit, I also attempt to be physically fit and
healthy. First, I choose carefully the foods I eat. For instance I constantly educate myself
on the foods and drinks that heal (nuts, oatmeal, salmon, fortified orange juice, baked
beans, apples, berries, cabbage, sweet potatoes) and the foods that harm (refined and fatty
foods).
 Second, I do physical activity. This includes the aforementioned stationary bike,
glider, walker, and stand-alone weights. It also involves maintaining my own home,
including the gardening; Willard Scott, a former NBC weatherman who now reads the
birthdays of centenarians on the Today show, paused one day, after reciting the reason for
longevity given by a lady in Mississippi, before commenting: “Isn’t it interesting. Many
people list gardening as a reason for their longevity.” And it certainly includes walking
stairs and constantly creating opportunities to move; and in good weather, racing
sailboats and playing outdoor tennis.

I also watch specific wellness markers such as my Body Mass Index, waist size
and blood chemistry. For instance, I attempt to keep my BMI (height in cm/weight in kg)
between 18.5 and 24.9 and more critically I work at keeping my waist below forty inches
(100 cm) - presently thirty-four (85 cm). And I regularly have my blood tested,
particularly for triglycerides- diabetes- cholesterol – heart- and prostrate specific antigen
-cancer.

Despite all this preventive activity I’m painfully aware of reality. A local Windsor
eatery has a bumper sticker pasted to its front door that reads: “Eat Right. Stay Fit. Die
Anyway.” And it’s true. But we can still strive to be fit and healthy while we live and
accept that genetics, for now, has the final say.

Sailing Crew (Jim- bottom left)

Untitled – by Engin Korkmaz
 Featured Artist
Review
Delbert
Hewitt, Jr.
by r. j. paré

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Self Portrait
Media Used: pencil and paper
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: April 22, 2008

BIO: Delbert Hewitt, Jr. was born in New York and raised in the Virgin Islands. He
first got into art after picking up a punisher War Journal penciled by Jim Lee. Then his
eyes were really opened by John Byrne's X-men run! Following his dream of getting into
Comics he went to the Atlanta College of Art in 1994. Del graduated from the Atlanta
College of Art in 1998 with a BFA in Illustration. He has worked freelance since his
graduation date. He has completed work in acrylic's, oils, water color, cross hatching,
black and white, sequential art, and character designs. The sky is the limit for his future.
He is looking forward to creating art and illustrations in many different genres.

r. j. paré: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist?

Del: Yes, I've always know I wanted to be an artist. I can go as far back as 7 years old. I
have a scrabble box at my mother's house where I drew my first car. I would always see
my mother doodle elaborate drawings of bridges, buildings, and different shapes. I'm sure
I got something from my father, who is a draftsman, and designed our entire house.
 Artist’s Name: Delbert
Hewitt, Jr.
Title: Sample page from
Warriors
Media Used: pencil and
paper
Size: 11” x 17”
Date Created: November
26, 2008

r.j.p: Excellent
storyboarding, the pace flows
naturally from panel to panel.

r.j.p: Did you study or major

in art while in school?

Del: I attended the Atlanta College of Art and majored in Illustration, graduated in 1998.
The funny thing about that is when I was choosing colleges I didn't even know there were
art colleges out there. My friend Ulric helped me figure out what I wanted to do. I
approached him and told him my father asked me about college and with me having a C
average I didn't think I was gonna make it. But he suggested going to art college seeing
as how I drew all the time. He directed me to an art teacher Mr. Richards, who helped me
get into the Atlanta College of Art.

r.j.p: Who was your primary source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art?

Del: My primary source of encouragement growing up as a child was primarily my love

for art. My Family and peers who when seeing my art would encourage me. I can
remember back having an art contest amongst my peers and being the one chosen as the
best artist in the group. Comics was also a huge encouragement, 80's
cartoons<transformers and G.I. Joe>, and Scooby Doo.
r.j.p: What is your favourite media to work
with?

Del: My favourite media to work with is paper

and pencil. I can use a variety of media such as
acrylics, oils, gouache, Photoshop, pen and ink.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Kitty Cat
Media Used: pencil, paper & Photoshop on G4
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: July 19, 2009

r.j.p: Do you use any special tools and

techniques to create your art?

Del: I wouldn't say I use any special tools

or techniques to create my art, except for
when I use oils. I only use true colors,
which are the primary colors to create on
canvas.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: I’m Covered
Media Used: oil on canvas
Size: 40” x 30”
Date Created: October 25, 2009

r.j.p: What inspires you to create art?

Del: I'm inspired to create art by life,

comics, and beautiful art no matter the
media.
r.j.p: How would you categorize your artistic style?

Del: I have different artistic styles

depending on what I'm working on. So if
I'm doing abstract oils on canvas, I
would say my style is broad brush
strokes. If we are talking about comics,
then I would say I have a western style
of art influenced by Manga and Anime.
If we are talking about portraits, I use
cross hatching. In color, portraits done in
acrylics, my style is true color watering
down acrylics.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Vatican Comics sample
Media Used: pencil and paper
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: November 30, 2009

r.j.p: Would you say that there is a

"message" or "unifying theme" in your
work?

Del: My message, or unifying theme in

my work, is growth. I try to get better
every time I do art.

r.j.p: Which famous artists / creators or styles have influenced you? Why?

Del: My biggest influence is from famous artists/creators would mostly be comic book
artists. The biggest influence would be Jim Lee. I remember picking up the first issue
that blew me away of Punisher's War Journal, and I knew I had to buy it so I could learn
from what he was doing. Seeing his work, made me want to draw comics, or really draw
in general. Then once I dove in to the world of comics most of the artists on X-Men
really blew me away. Of course, Jim Lee, who ended up drawing X-Men, but John
Byrne, who drew the Dark Phoenix Saga. It was something about the action and motion
of comics. The graphic story telling that blew me away. Also watching Anime
influenced me a lot. The first time watching Fist of the North Star, inspired me to take
my art to a higher level. After watching Akira, I knew I had a long way to go. Disney
was also a huge influence, their story telling, and high level of art, and dedication also
influenced me.

r.j.p: Would you rather have an engaged & loyal but, ultimately, small Indie readership
or work on the latest Spidey, Wolverine or X - book? [the old Art vs Commerce question]

Del: Like every artist out there I long for a loyal audience and a following, but if I have
an opportunity to work with Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse, I would of course jump at the
opportunity. At the moment I am content with small indie readership once my
independent comic gets released.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Jesus Hates Zombies sample
Media Used: pencil and paper
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: December 6, 2009
r.j.p: With advancements in computer graphic tablet technology, some artists are now
creating their work directly in the digital medium and releasing it in purely digital
formats... are the days of paper & pulp doomed to the realm of fading memories?

Del: No matter how strong technology becomes there is nothing like pen and paper
sitting down and creating something from nothing is what art is all about. I don't think
there is any program or computer that can replace the feeling of creating art with my own
hands.

r.j.p: What do you think of the term "starving artist"?

Del: I think the term "starving artist" is an excuse that people use to discourage people
from creating art. Every time I've heard that term, it’s been used in a negative
connotation. If you are an artist, you make no money. There are a lot of good artists
making money doing art. When you start off doing art you don't make a lot of money,
but if you continue to pursue it, you are passionate and driven, you can make a lot of
money creating art. Most artists create art because they love it.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Iron Man, © Marvel Comics
Media Used: pencil, paper and Photoshop on G4
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: December 14, 2009

r.j.p: Do you feel more a sense of community with

other artists or a sense of competition?

Del: I always feel a sense of community when

dealing with other artists. My nature is to be
competitive because I want to be the best and I
always strive for greatness.

r.j.p: How do you market yourself?

Del: I market myself through social networks and sites where I can sell my art, t-shirts,
and books. I use what ever means necessary to get my art into people's hands so they can
make a choice whether they love it or not. Deviant art has been a great site for me as a
comic book artist, to have my work be seen by the very people who create the art that I
admire so much.

r.j.p: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired?

Del: This past year it has not been difficult to be motivated or inspired, because I have
released the fear of failure. I have given it all to God knowing that he will bless my
efforts, to obtain the dream I've always desired.

Artist’s Name: Delbert Hewitt, Jr.

Title: Spawn © Image Comics
sample
Media Used: pencil, paper &
Photoshop on G4
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: December 22, 2009

r.j.p: While traditional publishing and distribution has become a difficult goal to achieve
for the modern Indie comic creator, what do you think of the impact that social networks
and POD services have had as an alternate means of connecting you, your work and your
audience?
Del: The impact of social networks and POD services has flipped everything upside
down. Now I have a means of connecting with everyone from the comfort of my
own home. The world can see my art by me simply scanning in my art and posting it
online. I would not even have this opportunity if it wasn’t for these social networks.

r.j.p: What other interests do you have, besides art?

Del: My other interests are God, my family, video games, and basketball. If I wasn’t
doing art would be one of the other things.

Artist’s Name:
Delbert Hewitt, Jr.
Title: Griffin
Media Used: pencil,
paper & Photoshop on
G4
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created:
December 22, 2009

r.j.p: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today?

Del: My advice for young artists is to go out there and do it! You don't have to wait for
any person to present you with an opportunity. Even fresh out of school you can create
your own opportunities. I think college helps you to grow leaps and bounds, but
remember you can learn from every situation. Just apply what you've learned and pursue
your art with all your passion and desire to create. I think I've wasted a lot of time being
concerned with everything else besides what I love to do. As an artist the only thing
stopping you is yourself. I know for many years my fears have held me back, but
releasing those fears have boasted me forward. I look forward to what this year is going
to bring,

r.j.p: Do you have any big plans, shows or Cons coming up?

Del: This year is going to bring about big plans and opportunities. I look forward to
several children's books, comic books, and art shows. At the moment I'm working on
“Diamond Black,” written by Dan Barnes, “Clearshot” written by Deon Brown, my own
project that is in the process of being copyright-en. I also have an art exhibition coming
out March 26, 2010 at 8pm at the Five Spot, hosted by Danielle Flores of DTM-creative.
I also have an art show called “I’m Covered” coming up as well.

r.j.p: How would you

like your art, and by
extension yourself, to be
remembered?

Del: I would like my art

to be remembered as
creative, innovative, and
someone who was not
held back by fear but
trusted in God to move
forward!

Artist’s Name: Delbert

Hewitt, Jr.
Title: Sword Play – Jedi
sample © Lucasfilms
Media Used: pencil,
paper & Photoshop on G4
Size: 8.5” x 11”
Date Created: January 6,
2010

r.j.p.: This is the pic that Dave chose for this month’s cover art. I must say I agree with
his choice. This is a very dynamic illustration of a Jedi in action. Leaping in an almost
Spidey-like assemblage of improbable bending and twisting anatomy – this piece quite
effectively conveys such motion & speed.

Del’s website: http://delhewittjr.com/

United Minds of Humanity – by Yolande Gaspard
 Poetry
Selected Poems
By Frances Nichols Vargas

Reach for the Sky

You are so much smarter
Then you let the world to see
You have endless talent
And energy
You have only tapped
The possibilities

You are capable of greatness

Instead you settle

It frustrates me
When you become lazy
And don’t put your best effort
For all to see
I try to see things
From your eyes

But I realize
How you are young and naïve

I want for you to be

All that you wish to be
I hope one day
All of your dreams

Become reality
Untitled – by Roger Price
 Untitled – by Roger Price

Lost Fairytale
My heart has been broke Tell me what makes you different
And crushed From all the others
For the whole world to see That helped to shape me

I am too far gone I no longer have belief

For anyone to break the wall Two people can share
I have put in front of me The bond

You say you care That is talked about in fairytale land

You say you can heal me
I Never Promise
I never promise you a thing
Even though I know you want everything
You still stand by my side
And provide me safe haven
Even though I can honestly say
I do not know if I will ever be ready
Your presence is always near
Even when I am my worst enemy
Standing steadfast
in my corner
With a hug and a smile
Just wishing me the best life has to offer
Untitled – by Lisa Marie Mueller
You are always willing to lend a hand
Even if it is to dry my tears
You don’t even care
That I don’t come up for a breath of air
I really enjoy you being in my life
Even though sometimes the words don’t
come out right
When my life is turned upside down
You help to chase away my frown
Even though I know you want everything
You know I never allow my guards down
I never promise you anything
And still you stick around
Selected Poetry
By Stephen Campbell

The Plough
What now that the rails have trailed from under me,
And all the green grass has turned to craters?
What now that the hand that has guided me
Has pushed me off alone and unaided?

So far my map only tested the edges of the page,

And there all is blank as the dark side of the moon,
In that dusk, all gloom lights the horizon and plays
Upon the distance; far off uncertainty looms.

I glance above and see the starry night rotating,

The stars above wheeling and expanding out,
Guided but free, regular in their pulsating;
Adrift yet constant and steady with their light.

Untitled – by De Tourist
 Selected Poetry
By Eric Lawson
Demeter Takes a Mental
Health Day
Demeter, goddess of agriculture
Pauses inside her yellow raincoat
And sits on a nearby bench to ponder
Like a lightning bolt across the sky
An idea flashes inside her mind
A slight detour amid the raindrops
Leads to an impromptu sick day
She takes a breath of soothing sea air
And reconnects with her true self
Clouds part, sun shines, birds fly past
Life at Olympus has been such an
Unbearable pressure cooker lately
She must step aside today for sanity
Like the rising and falling of tides
Spring will continue to bring flowers
And the harvest will still proceed
Winter’s chill like clockwork
Untitled – by De Tourist
With or without her stress over it
Zeus forbid her smarmy secretary
Should actually have to work
For her lofty, immortal salary
Now a mere mile from the river
She puts on a black beret and tells
People that her name is Penelope
With a knowing wink and laugh
She slips ever-so-quietly into a quaint
And quiet Paris cafe unannounced
Removes her soaked yellow raincoat
And begins to doodle in her notebook
No one seems to recognize her one iota
She reminds herself this is Paris, France
Prolific artists line the festive streets
Inspiration informs every destiny here
She orders a cup of coffee and croissant
Resumes her idle people watching
Turns off her obnoxious cell phone
Sinks into a plush chair, smiles, sighs
And revels in the satisfying calm
Selected Poetry
By C. S. Cartier
The Dam Anger unknown but discovered,
solidified my mask of innocence lost.
Tragedy given, tragedy returned.
All debts must eventually be balanced. She is now forever dressed in red
Up comes down, and I in chains.
you can only confine water so long
before a burst is eminent. No more

Words, sloppy words to describe an act, Metal

no, it was more a reflex
of pent up desperation...
like the water behind the dam...
Burst, eruption, violent, primate.
What have I done?
Crimson droplets fallen
Pooling moisture,
simply droplets of years taken
- a line broke
- echoes as I drop my freedom's key
to my emotional coffin
The dam was forever emptied;
she has no more power over me.
no more --
The Pool grows
- happiness bleeds away
- sometimes it is worth it

Slap - knee caps become penitent. It matters not; for 'my dam' has been fortified
No No! Why? years ago and it learned how to mend
Did she really drive me to this? the cracks and leaks.
The Bitch!!!
Arterial spray mixes with the abstract decor. You claimed I was useless,
One, two, I was not counting, you are dead wrong...
I was remembering the pool grows..
each time I was belittled...

No more. No more -
Anything but the innocence she pretends to
others.
Every lying word that slipped based her serpent
tongue.
She pushed and pushed
- she raped me of serenity,
confidence,
- and of kindness, dreams, and
pride...

No more -

The gate released

- the flood water poured out
- I will not be belittle any more
- no more Untitled – by De Touris
 Paré’s Poetic
Perspectives
by r. j. paré

• The Small Town Diner •

O’er linoleum diagonals,

Multi-coloured worn and
Boot step scuff’d
A coffee and a smile to start your day
Your mug sits and paper stains
Caramel rings
Whether easy-over or on the sunny side
There’s bacon, begging
Oh, so crisp
The familiar comfort, conversations
Staccato small talk
Pleasantries
On Formica table tops, initials
Carved for posterity
“We were here”

The Small Town Diner – by r. j. paré

 Family Life
The Drunken
Dragon Tavern
by Christina Marchetti
Cheese and Butter – Medieval / Renaissance Food Clip-Art
Collection – By Cindy Renfrow

Editor’s Note: This may be Tina’s [Murdock’s - to those of us

who have known her forever and love her to bits] last recipe
column for awhile as she has informed me she is quite busy with
family, work and her commitments to her medieval society. I
hope everyone enjoys, I know I can’t wait to whip one of these up
in the kitchen…☺

BUTANIKU SHOGA-YAKI
(Gingered Pork)

1 lb boneless porkloin or tenderloin cut into

strips 2 inches by about 1/8 inch thick.
4 oz nappa
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp finely minced ginger (use fresh ginger not
powdered)
1 tbsp cooking sake
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp veggie oil (I like using sesame oil for
flavour)

Cut nappa into 1 inch squares. Mix soy sauce,

ginger, sake and sugar well, until sugar
dissolves. Heat 1 tbsp oil in 10" skillet. Add
pork and sauté until cooked. Add soy sauce
mix and cook until fluid is about gone. Remove
from frying pan. Add rest of oil and cook
nappa until tender crisp. It doesn't take long!!!.
Put nappa on plate and serve pork on top or mix
the two together.!!!
 NAMASU
(Daikon and Carrot salad)
8 oz Daikon (Japanese radish)
1 large carrot (about 3 ounces)
1 1/2tsp salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice.
1 1" square piece of lemon rind
Cut Daikon and carrots into match stick
size widths about 11/2 inches long.
Place in colander and sprinkle with 1tsp salt
and let sit 5min, draining water.
Rince in cold water to get rid of salt.
Squeeze out excess liquid and place
veggies in medium size bowl.
Slice lemon rind into strips and place with
carrot and Daikon.
Mix liquids and left over salt in small bowl
and then pour over veggie and lemon
mixture.
Let stand at least one hour refrigerated,
stirring occasionally.
Drain slightly before using.
Serves four.
Can be made 2 days in advance.
 HORENSO GOMA-AE
(spinach with
sesame seed dressing)

When I made this recipe I replaced the Reserve 1 tsp of seeds.

dashi with cooking sake due to a number of Grind the remaining seeds with a mortar
people with fish allergies. Still turned out and pestle or grinder until smooth.
great!!! Combine with sugar, soy sauce and dashi
to make a dressing.
21/2 tablespoon white sesame seed Add spinach to boiling water with salt.
1/2 teaspoon sugar Reduce heat and simmer until spinach is
11/2 tbsp soy sauce tender.
2 tbsp dashi Drain well. Rinse under cold water and
1 quart water drain.
1/4 tsp salt Squeeze as much water as possible out and
12 ounces fresh spinach cut into 1" pieces.
Combine spinach with dressing and mix
Heat sesame seeds in small skillet over well.
med-high heat until lightly browned and
popping. Serves four.

The above recipes are light and tasty and really don't take that long to make. They are
really good for a late spring/early summer meal. The above grouping of recipes will serve
four people.

Enjoy. Tastefully yours,

Tina
Miss Monroe – by Mike Grattan
 Pop Culture
Comic Book
Review
By Brad Bellmore

Sword

Thumb Sideways

Marvel Comics has unsheathed a new

title, Sword a space based response team that
protects earth. Think of it like SHIELD from
the Marvel Universe, only with global
responsibilities not just one government and
based on a space station orbiting Earth.
SWORD stands for Sentient World
Observation and Response Department. This
book is written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by
Steven Sanders.

I snatched this one off the shelf because the cover displayed two of my favourite
Marvel characters, Beast and Lockheed. The hopes of them being part of a new group
caught my imagination, reminding me of younger days when everything about comics
was awesome and exciting.

This first issue lays out the situation pretty well, explaining the role of the
department with interplanetary relations, the location in Earth’s orbit and introducing you
to the good guys and the standard bad guys along with all of the political machinations
behind the scenes. Commander Abigail Brand is a tough lady, in charge of the
department, ready to face any negotiation or battle at any time, but unaware that Osborne
Corp, the largest funder of the operation, is using their people on the space station to
usurp her power.
 Her alien half brother, Lothi is a bit of a scoundrel with a bounty on his head and
needs her protection. Hank McCoy, AKA the Beast is her boyfriend and assists as an
advisor, a negotiator and a scientist. Lockheed, a dragon, is left here, drinking himself
into oblivion to deal with hi recent loss of Shadowcat. Sydren, Brand’s second in
command rounds out the team.

A few things leap out to me in this issue. First, the “aliens on Earth are our
enemies”, feels a bit like the “all mutants are our enemies” from the X-Men titles.
Second, I’m surprised that someone as powerful and intelligent as Commander Brand is
about to get blindsided by a political assassination. Third, it’s good to know the Beast is
getting’ some. And lastly, WOW! What an amazing twist with Lockheed, delving into
mourning and loss like that.

This book has some very intriguing texture to the story line. This first issue is set
up to promise quite a bit of complexity both in tales and in character. The place it falls
down is that it does so in a short issue so they can offer a second smaller tale, one that
gives foundation for Lockheed’s dilemma. That second bit was much stronger than the
fist which rushed to paint the canvas for the rest of the series.

The next problem, for me, was the

art. It was fine drawing but it didn’t seem to
fit the story well. It had a bit too much of a
cartoony style to, more like the shows my 8
year old daughter watches on Saturday
morning. This style is fine, but given
themes of drinking your way through grief,
and dropping enough curse words to rate a
PG13 movie rating, it feels a bit deceiving.
My kids wanted to read it because it looks
like something aimed more for an all-ages
market but I didn’t let them.

Now, that’s probably just my

overprotective dad side coming out, but that
bothered me. If you can get past my hang-
up, take a look at it. The story has promise.
 Willow

Thumb Mostly Up
Dark Horse did a series of one-off
stories for each of their titles through out
November and December, including a few
peripheral titles. Willow is one such book,
giving the character from Buffy the
Vampire Slayer a spotlight, even if only for
a little bit. The story is by Joss Whedon,
the creator of Buffy the Vampire slayer,
and the art is Karl Moline.

I’m guessing that most people that read this one are people that already follow the
Buffy comic and have followed the TV show. I think the creators have the same
expectation since there isn’t much that gives background or explains who Willow is.
Many comic creators remind us that every issue is someone’s first issue, so there need to
be constant reminders about who the character is and what they can do. Whedon pretty
much gives that concept the bird here. And I’m fine with that. Given the rabid fandom of
the Whedon-verse, I think he chose well. If you don’t know who Willow is, you probably
won’t read this anyway.

One of the longest running and strongest rumours of new projects to arise out of
Buffy characters is that Whedon intended to do something with Willow, whether a new
series or a movie, or maybe even a made for TV movie. But most of the fans were
certain that something as brewing for Willow. And they were right. This comic. That
doesn’t mean there won’t be something else. It just means Joss had something more to
write about her.

The story follows Willow, a witch of significant power and troubled history in
dealing with that power. She pursues an inward journey to know herself better and
understand the magic that she channels. As she sets off on her astral walkabout, she
travels through many false layers of what she is after, peeling back what the world sees,
what she is most ready to discover about herself. There is some great symbolism her and
some fun references to various other magical worlds and famous witches. Eventually she
end sup with a lamia named Aluwyn as her spirit guide, he brings a lot of discovery to
Willow even though it takes a very roundabout way to get there, including facing the part
of her that feels she is evil because of what she has done.
 Once Willow discovers that she can get to her true self without such a windy road,
she is offered the opportunity to choose who her guide will be. She confronts her deepest
wound and has to decide if she will follow her dead former lover as her guide into
revelation. If you want to know if she does, you will have to read the book.

The art in this offers instances of feeling like you are staring at a photo of the
actors that played the characters on TV. Some of the visuals used as symbols are brilliant.
The look of the book is basically solid. It carries the story well without overwhelming it.
I enjoyed this book. It isn’t as strong as the ongoing Buffy books are, but it is enjoyable
all the same. I’m hoping that even if you don’t follow Buffy or know who Willow is, you
will give this one-shot, a shot.
 Raised on Saturday
Morning Cartoons
By Pauline Paré

Torchwood
Goes Stateside:
Good News or
Bad News?

Torchwood is an incredible sci-fi

series, produced by the BBC. There have
already been 2 seasons of torchwood as well
as an amazing TV movie, all available on
DVD. (Recommended viewing!). Fans were
left in the air about the shows future until the
announcement that Torchwood may be
picked up by the Fox network.

I have mixed feelings about this news.

First, let me tell you a little about Torchwood. Torchwood is a spinoff of Doctor
Who which is also a British series and is in the Guinness book of world records for being
the longest running and most successful science fiction series of all time. The original
series began in 1963 and, despite a low budget, was extremely creative and original. In
2005, the BBC resurrected the original series. The budget and special effects were way
ahead of the original series but paid homage to it through using the same designs, only
slightly updated.

Torchwood is an anagram of Doctor Who but more importantly, it is an

organization dedicated to studying protecting society from extraterrestrial interference,
and procuring alien technology to aid mankind. It has a darker and more dramatic setting
than Doctor Who. The leader of Torchwood is a 51st century time traveler, who goes by
the name Captain Jack Harkness.
 Fans of Torchwood have been in the dark, wondering about the future of the
series until the recent announcement by Fox that it planned to pick up the show and that
Russell T. Davies; the original producer would come to the USA with the show. John
Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) would likely come to join the cast. I am happy to
hear that the show may very well continue but I am leery of the fact that the show will be
on Fox, with its terrible track record for cancelling series way before their time,
especially sci-fi and fantasy series.

Fox cancelled these series before a full season: Firefly, Wonderfalls, The Tick,
New Amsterdam and Family Guy which was resurrected only after they realized what big
idiots they were. Firefly became a huge cult success, and even spawned a movie. I have
mentioned before, how I hate being set up with a good story line, only to have a series
cancelled before the major plot points can be resolved. Fox has done this to me over and
over with wonderful and creative shows such as John Doe, Tru Calling and Brimstone.
Fox may be known for airing some amazing and original series but why don’t they give
them a fair chance once they air?

The most telling fact is that Fox made a Doctor Who movie in 1995 with the
purpose of turning it into an American produced television series. The series was never
made. Does a British dark sci-fi with a bisexual hero have a chance to make it on the Fox
network? It seems very likely that the show will not even make the 13 episode mark. I
hope that Fox has learned its lesson and that Torchwood will do well in its stateside
showing but I am not holding out much hope.

Torchwood: outside the government, beyond the police.

Fighting for the future on behalf of the human race. The 21st Century is
when everything changes -- and Torchwood is ready.