I’m
still running late on the joyful stuff, but I’m hoping to be caught
up by the time my garage sales launch in June. I’ll have more
information on those sales and other appearances/events soon. In the
meantime, with apologies for these continued delays and my general
lack of blogging in recent months, let’s get right to the happy
stuff.
April
1: This
Godzilla
TUBBZ (Giant XL Edition)
was
a gift from two of my dearest friends. I’d never heard of these
“cosplaying collectible ducks” before this. I love it and it’ll
have a place of honor in my office.
April
2: DC
Pride: The Heart Wants.
I’m over the moon thrilled my autobiographical “Master Planner:
is in this wondrous volume. With a back cover mention and my correct
Black Lightning credit. DC scored major points with me here.
April
3: Globetrotters:
Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s World Tour by Julian Voloj &
Julie Rocheleau.
Bly has long been a hero of mine, but until this book, I never knew
she had a rival on her Verne-inspired trip. An amazing story of
exceptional women. Highly recommended.
April
4: The
Late Show with Stephen Colbert
is arguably the best late-night talk show of all time. I’m going to
miss Antichrist Superstar, The Pope’s Diss Track and the other
brilliant shorts that open each show. They are works of satirical
art.
April
5: Yesterday
was
the
second anniversary of my starting HRT
(Hormone Replacement Therapy) as part of my transition. Then and now,
the treatment brings me significant trans joy on my journey to me. I
love science.
April
6: Wheel
of Fortune
is running "Spring Forward" games and giveaways, a
four-week special event. It allows daily winners to return the next
day as long as they keep winning. I’m a fan of this format and hope
it continues beyond the event.
April
7: Rooster.
Barb and I watched the debut of the HBO series starring Steve Carell
as a thriller novelist and Charlie Clive as his college professor
daughter. It’s more than a little out there, but we enjoyed it and
will continue watching.
April
8. Rooster.
John C. McGinley is hilarious as Walter Mann, the president of the
show’s Ludlow College. His every scene is a master class in quirky
comedy. When he talked of releasing the brown fat, I laughed so hard
I got hiccups. 4-8-26.
April
9: Tini
Howard.
The comics writer was a contestant on the April 17 episode of
Jeopardy,
going up against the juggernaut who is Jamie Ding. She came in third
but acquitted herself well. I need to read her work.
April
10: Live
with Kelly and Mark.
Barb and I like to watch the “Stump Mark” segment. Players give
Mark one true and one false statement. He has to pick the true one.
On a recent episode, the true one was the player had a comic signed
by Stan Lee.
April
11: I
had an
amazing
night out with LGBTQ+ friends. Though circumstances made it necessary
for me to present in boy mode, I was correctly gendered everywhere we
went. That means the world to someone like me.
April
12: The
Bourbon Street Barrel Room.
Located in Cleveland’s historic Tremont neighborhood, it features
authentic New Orleans cuisine in a fun setting. I had a delicious
Canal Street Chicken Wrap, Gator Bites (more breading than gator), at
least one Lemon
Drop and a Mardi Gras Grenade Don’t
judge me.
April
13: Mitchell’s
Ice Cream.
The main store and kitchen is in Cleveland’s Ohio City
neighborhood. I had a scoop of the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
and it was among the best ice cream I’ve ever had.
April
14: The
Atlas Creator Collection No. 3: Bill Everett: “One Head Too Many”
and Other Stories.
The best team-up in comics is between Fantagraphics and Marvel.
Handsome volumes reprinting so many amazing tales by so many
incredible creators.
April
15: The
W.
Cleveland’s first and only women’s sports bar. It’s a clean
neighborhood bar where everyone is
welcome.
I had a
Root for Women, their
signature drink. It’s
bourbon, root beer, a dash of orange bitters. Quite tasty.
ADDENDUM:
Sadly, the W has closed. Its owners says it’ll reopen in a new
location closer to the action. They have not announced a date or
location for the reopening.
April
16: Asumi-chan
is Interested in Lesbian Brothels Volume 1
by Kuro Itsuki. An awkward college student is trying to reunite with
her first love. This manga is fun and heart-warming with erotic
scenes that are sexy and sweet. Recommended for mature readers.
April
17: DC
Finest: Western: The Hangman Never Loses.
This one makes me happy even before I start reading it. Nearly 600
pages of frontier thrills featuring favorites like Tomahawk, El
Diablo and more. Classic tales, writers and artists.
4-17-26.
April
18: My
cure for anger or depression is writing.
One of my latest works is a pitch for a series (comics or TV)
combining cool characters, drama, humor, suspense and even some
adventure. Interested publishers should contact me.
April
19: The
(Medina) Gazette
ran my letter on immigration and ICE. As I do with all my current
work, I signed it “Jenny Blake Isabella.” Here’s
that letter:
I’m
74 years old and have lived in Medina for over forty years. I love
our charming city, especially because it has shown it can move
forward without losing that charm. That is a rare precious quality.
There
are two things Medina doesn’t need. It doesn’t need to be a
sanctuary city and
it most definitely doesn’t need to have an ICE presence, much less
welcome that presence.
If
Medina has any immigrant problem, it’s that we clearly don’t have
enough immigrants to fill all those jobs we see advertised on street
signs and elsewhere. Our country was built on willing immigrants to
our nation and slaves kidnapped and brought here against their will.
Both of these
groups have made innumerable contributions to the United States and
our lives would be poorer without their genius
and hard work. Sadly, the
historical truth of those who came here,
willingly or unwilling, are downplayed by too
many. Indeed, some
seek to erase that
history.
As
for ICE, why would anyone who has witnessed its brutal, cruel and
lawless conduct elsewhere want to bring that madness to our city? In
its present form, ICE should not be welcome anywhere in the United
States.
If
our council needs to enact any legislation concerning ICE, it should
be to require them to follow the same high standards as our terrific
Medina police force. No masks. Wearing name tags. No seizures
without real judicial authorization. No absurd shows of force to
intimidate people. Being held accountable when they break the law.
What is proper for our police force should be the standard for any
law enforcement that comes to our city.
April
20: Riva
the Neuriva commercial elephant,
voiced by Tamara Joel. Am I the only viewer who thinks she’s kind
of hot? Don’t judge me.
April
21: Alter
Ego.
Roy Thomas’ magnificent magazine of comics history is closing in on
issue #200. I haven’t read every page of every issue but what I’ve
read has educated and entertained me. Someday I will read/reread them
all cover to cover.
April
22: The
Daily Show.
Comedian Mo Amer absolutely killed his “In My Opinion” segment
with a brutal yet hilarious takedown of Islamophobia. Look
for it on YouTube. I plan to watch whatever comedy specials he has
online.
April
23: Enemy
of my Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel by Alex Segura.
The Kingpin has been murdered and a troubled Matt Murdock is
defending accused killer Frank Castle. An intriguing mix of genres
with plenty of guest stars and twists. I enjoyed it and recommend it
to you.
April
24: Mad
Cave’s The
Phantom #1-5
by Ray Fawkes and Russell Olsen got off to a shaky start, but it
steadily improved to give readers an exciting story filled with grit
and delivered a most satisfying ending. I’m eager to read future
issues.
April
25: Cosplayer!
Versus Shark by Pat Jankiewicz and Shaunh “Sparky” Piela is
an Antarctic Press One-Shot. It’s essentially a very silly shark
movie in comic-book form. Fortunately, I love very silly shark movies
so it was a hit with me.
April
26: Boss
Wife by Mayu Sakuri.
A debt-ridden illustrator reunites with her high school crush, now a
member of the Yakuza and much more than he appears. With relatable
characters and lovely art, it’s a fun fast-paced romance.
Recommended.
April
27: Wild
Animals #1 by Ed Brisson and Andy Kuhn.
I make no secret of it. In these cruel days of Trump and GOP evil, a
good revenge thriller
speaks
to me. This is a great revenge thriller. I’m looking forward to
reading the whole series.
April
28: Whatever
Happened to the Crimson Justice? by Frank Tieri and Inaki Miranda.
I’m two issues into this Mad Cave title about presumed dead heroes
and villains. Gritty storytelling and surprising twists. I recommend
it.
April
29: Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles X Godzilla by Tim Seeley and Fero Pi
is more than a typical franchise crossover. It has a spiritual core
and some of the best kaiju art I’ve seen in comic books. A
wonderful story with considerable heart.
April
30: House
Hunters: Not a Full-Time Grandma.
A woman moves back to New Jersey to be near her daughters and
grandchildren. She’s no free babysitter and cook. She gets a
smaller place and buys it without consulting them. I love this feisty
lady. She’s my new HGTV hero. 4-30-26.
Here
are the “best of show” winners.
BEST
COMIC BOOK: Globetrotters:
Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s World Tour by Julian Voloj &
Julie Rocheleau.
BEST
BOOK: Enemy
of my Enemy: A Daredevil Marvel Crime Novel by Alex Segura.
BEST
MOVIE OR TV SHOW:
The
Late Show with Stephen Colbert
BEST
PERSON:
Stephen
Colbert
BEST
OTHER THING: Godzilla
TUBBZ (Giant XL Edition)
I’ll
be back soon with more stuff.
©
2026
Tony Isabella
