The Chronic Rift: In Review - Is This Thing On?

John S. Drew's picture
Submitted by John S. Drew on October 18, 2009 - 7:58pm

So, would you like to hear an episode of outtakes and behind the scenes stuff?  Here's an opportunity to let us know, plus let us know what you think of the episode.  Make sure you also rate the episode.

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Bloom County: The Complete Library

Andrea K Lipinski's picture
Submitted by Andrea K Lipinski on November 10, 2009 - 11:34pm.

I just finished reading volume one (of a projected FIVE volumes) today, and man, did that take me back to a happy place in my childhood.  I remember being in seventh grade, and bonding with my best friend Chrissy over Bloom County.  When one of us said "Let's beam Mr. Spock into a wall" or "a Playboy decal ... catch me" or referred to banana walrus wafers, the other one would start cracking up.  It was like being part of a very elite and very funny club.

This collection features over 600 Bloom County comic strips from 1980-1982.  If, like me, you hoped that this collection would take up less room on your shelves than your original books, think again, because this thing is HUGE, and like I said it's one of five volumes.  This is in part because it includes strips and entire story arcs that weren't collected in the original books (Milo's grandparents took a trip on the space shuttle?  Binkley's dad worked as an exotic dancer?)  It's also in part because most of us are now getting to see the top third of the Sunday strips for the very first time.

All in all, this was a lovely trip down memory lane.  And anyone who disagrees with me can eat hot death.

Are we Riftians? Riftees? Or Members of the Round Table?

The 1939 New York World's Fair

Submitted by mabfan on October 28, 2009 - 12:49pm.

I was delighted to hear Andrea mention her interest in the World's Fairs that New York City hosted in 1939 and 1964. My father was born in 1929 and he had lots of fond, happy memories of going to the 1939 Fair when he was 10 years old. He used to read books about the Fair and we had some collectibles he had acquired (which if I have are now in storage).  The Fair sparked his interest in science fiction, so it's not incorrect to say that the 1939 Fair had a significant effect on my own life.

 

On the other hand, Dad hated the 1964 Fair, and thought it was a shadow of the 1939 Fair.  He loved the Trylon and Perisphere, and hated the Unisphere.

Michael A. Burstein

http://www.mabfan.com

1939 vs 1964

Andrea K Lipinski's picture
Submitted by Andrea K Lipinski on October 28, 2009 - 1:31pm.

When I was in elementary school, I remember doing a report on the 1939 World's Fair based on an interview with my grandmother.  The highlight of the fair for her (and the subject of the "artistic" portion of my project) were the divers leaping from the 75' high diving platforms.  Which seems to confirm my belief that people were much more easily amused in the 1930's, but then again I'm sure that she would also have rolled her eyes at the generations that came before her. I've heard stories about the 1964 World's Fair from my mother and my boyfriend, both of whom visited it several times.

It's sad to see how little remains of both fairs, especially the structures that were left up for future generations to see, but which are now victims of weathering and vandalism.  I learned a lot of stuff about both fairs from a publication we picked up at the Queens Museum gift shop called The New York World's Fairs by Ronald Marzlock.  It had lots of glossy pictures of the construction of the fairgrounds, crowds, celebrities, rides, shows ... and hot chicks, of course :)

Are we Riftians? Riftees? Or Members of the Round Table?

World's Fair

Submitted by mabfan on October 28, 2009 - 1:34pm.

I take it you recommend the book?  It appears to be OP.

 

I recall watching a PBS special about the 1939 World's Fair, which noted the hot chicks, as you put them.  They had actual color film footage of naked women who were part of an exhibit in some tent that they didn't allow kids into.  I wish I recall more about this TV show because I recall thinking how improbable that was, and yet your report seems to confirm it.

Michael A. Burstein

http://www.mabfan.com

Yes, however ...

Andrea K Lipinski's picture
Submitted by Andrea K Lipinski on October 28, 2009 - 1:49pm.

... I will warn that while it's CALLED a book, it's really more like a thick magazine.  It's mostly pictures with some text, so while it's not good for a scholarly study, it makes for great browsing.  Yeah, I know that it isn't available from amazon, but unfortunately Queens Museum's gift shop isn't available on their website.  It looks like you can get the book directly through Mr. Marzlock's website, if you're interested: http://nycpix.com/book.html

And you could save yourself a trip out to Queens by mailing the guy a check.  Actually, you'd also save a little money, since I paid $18.95 for my copy!

Are we Riftians? Riftees? Or Members of the Round Table?

Bloom County

Submitted by KevinLauderdale on October 21, 2009 - 11:32am.

And the extra-cool thing about the Complete Bloom County is the annotations for all you youngsters.  Chuck and Di. Phil Donahue . . . eventually Billy and the Beaters.  Oh, yes, revisiting the 80s is going to make me feel old. 

How Was It?

John S. Drew's picture
Submitted by John S. Drew on October 23, 2009 - 5:06am.

That Breathed's later work was never as good, even though he would incorporate characters from Bloom County?  I remember how I looked forward to the newspaper just to read it.

John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What?  Too much?"