In July of 2009, nearly 17 years ago, our writing group held Round 26 - another chance to try our hands at poetry. That spring had been quite a rainy one, and it got me thinking about how my thoughts and perspectives on rain had changed over the course of my life. And what is better than writing a poem about that? Writing four, obviously! 

"Riding the Giganotosaur" is a 1999 science fiction short story by Michael Swanwick. It is about a man who has his brain grafted onto a dinosaur's, and then runs free and wild in the unspoiled Cretaceous period.

Meridian #3

• Date: September 2000
• Publisher: CrossGen Comics
• Cover Price: $2.95
• 2013 NM Price: $3.00
• Stats: 22 color pages plus house ads, "Delineations" letters page and "Generator" news column
• Writer: Barbara Kesel
• Artists: Joshua Middleton, Dexter Vines, Michael Atiyeh and Dave Lanphear
• Notable Notes: Sephie finally bucks her Uncle's tyranny!

She's Got The Guts To Do The Right Thing!

Have you ever been pushed too far by someone? Maybe it was a close relative, or a boss or even a complete stranger. Sometimes it can be difficult to stand up to bullies - especially if they are older or in a position of power over you - but the star of this comic proves that it can and should be done! Let's all hope that her future actions go just as well.

It has been just over a year since I started blogging again. I started up, after a hiatus of a few years, on May 22, 2025. I feel it has been a good year, and I wanted to share some thoughts about getting back into the blog-o-sphere again.

Arthur C. Clarke, one of the most famous science fiction authors ever, and part of the "Big Three" of the genre (along with Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein), passed away today. In memory of this great science fiction writer I present "The Nine Billion Names of God", the 1953 science fiction short story that was so good it won a retrospective Hugo award. It is about a company that sells a computer to a Tibetan monestary so they can quickly finish listing all the possible names of God and fulfill their destinies.

Whiz Comics #2

• Date: February 1940
• Publisher: Fawcett Publications
• Cover Price: 10¢
• 2013 Price Range: $8,000 - $176,000
• Stats: 64 color pages plus ads
• Writers: Bill Parker and ?
• Artists: C.C. Beck and ?
• Notable Notes: 1st appearances of Captain Marvel, Ibis the Invincible, Golden Arrow, Spy Smasher, Scoop Smith, Lance O'Casey and Dan Dare!

Is It This Or Is It That?

Captain Marvel, aka Shazam, has a long and complicated history. The complications begin with this issue and the question of "Is it issue #1 or issue #2?" The inside front cover lists this as issue #2 of Whiz Comics, and a little bit of searching reveals that the first issue was actually an ashcan copy created for trademark purposes and it wasn't even called Whiz Comics! Anyway, this issue (the true #1 but actually marked as #2) is where all the magic happens. Oh yeah, there are other complications too - such as the name "Captain Marvel", his close resemblance to Superman and his integration into the DC Universe after DC Comics obtained the rights to the character... but we won't go there right now.

In March of 2009 my brother held another "spontaneous combustion" round for our writing group.  This was the second one, and the whole point was to write something, anything.  I contributed this little piece about an alien invasion force.  Its not really much of a deep or complex story, but I think its fun none-the-less.  Enjoy!

Orbiter's Reward

By Greg Wickenhofer

"Orbiter's Reward" is a very short 2008 science fiction short story by Greg Wickenhofer. It is about a scrap metal business that finds a very helpful robot.

Captain America #7 (Vol. 3)

• Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• Cover Price: $1.99
• 2013 NM Range: $3.00
• Stats: 22 color pages plus "American Graffiti" letters page, Bullpen Bulletins and ads
• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artists: Dale Eaglesham, Scott Koblish, Joe Rosas, John Costanza (and new creative team of Andy Kubert, Jesse Delperdang, Jason Wright and Todd Klein)
• Notable Notes: Captain America finally resolves the Skrull crisis!

Avenge With A Vengeance?

It seems like whenever Cap gets beaten down he always comes back in a big way. The story in this issue (the last 3 actually) is no different, but this one has a little bit more subdued (depressing?) ending. Not sure I really like it that way.

A 1999 short story that was nominated for the Hugo award, "Ancient Engines" explores the idea of robots that are so self preserving that they actually purchase replacement parts for themselves in a bid to live forever.