June
is Pride Month and that means a lot to me. It was at last year’s
Pride in the CLE (Cleveland) where I presented as Jenny Blake for the
first time outside of my therapy sessions or my OutSupport Medina
group meetings. It was the first time two of my dearest friends from
the Flaming River Con saw me as Jenny. I received several compliments
on my outfit, but the most wondrous thing about the event was being
with thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies.
I’ll
be attending multiple Pride events this year. The first is Medina’s
Pride on the Square, Thursday, June 5, from 6 to 8 pm. I will be
presenting as Tony at this event, but, as you know, I am always
Jenny.
Pride
in the CLE is Saturday, June 7, from 11 am to 6 pm. I will be
presenting as Jenny at the event. I’m checking into the Drury Hotel
Friday afternoon and staying through Saturday night.
Last
year, on Friday night, presenting as Jenny, I went to the Muze
Gastropub at the Fieldhouse Gymnasium in Lakewood.
However, this year, unless I can find friends wanting to go with me,
I’ll probably hang out at the hotel. The country has become more
dangerous for trans women. Rather than go to any clubs solo, I’m
going to err on the side of caution.
Finally,
on Sunday, June 22, I’ll be a special guest of the Time Travelers
comic shop in Berkley, Michigan, the same weekend as the Berkley
Pride Block Party. While
it’s subject to change, I’m planning to present as Jenny.
I
get a lot of questions about my transitioning. While most of them are
well-intentioned, many of them are very personal. Let’s just say
it’s a long and sometimes difficult journey. Every day, I’m
learning new things about being a woman and the steps I must take to
achieve my authentic self. It’s not going to be an easy or
inexpensive journey, but I work toward my goal every day. The support
I have been receiving from the LGBTQ+ and online comics communities
means the world to me. Thank you.
Now
let’s talk about the things that brought me joy in May.
May
1: A
great therapy session, followed by lunch with Barb and our friend
Jess, followed by going to Black Cat Books to pick up items I ordered
and chatting with our
friend Kendra. Our country is in crisis, but there is still joy to be
had.
May
2: Batarangs. Based on the classic story “The 100 Batarangs of
Batman" [Detective Comics #244; June 1957], my talented pal
Dick Pfister created these for me via 3D printer. It was a most
welcome and completely unexpected gift.
May
3: My
dear pals Martin and Pam Arlt came to my garage sale from Michigan.
Afterwards, I took them to the House of Hunan for lunch and Black Cat
Books, so I could show off my favorite Indy bookstore. Another great
day in Medina!
May
4: Black
Lightning by Brandon Thomas and Pico Ossio. It’s no secret I’ve
been dissatisfied with much of what DC has done with my creation, but
this five-issue series was authentic Jefferson Pierce and family. One
of the best comics of 2025.
May
5: Thunderbolts*. I loved this a lot. It has heart, humor and an
overriding theme of redemption. If you know my writing, you know that
speaks to me. And the revelation of the meaning of the asterisk is
perfect. It’s a good time.
May
6: IDW’s
100-page Godzilla 70th
Anniversary special. Godzilla is getting monster props of late and
this collection of tales by James Stokoe, Matt Frank and others is
worthy of the King. Great stories with great variety. I loved it.
May
7: Poker Face is back on Peacock. The second season opener was
sensational with Cynthia Erivo playing five characters. Charlie Cale
(Natasha Lyonne) was also at her bullshit detecting best.
Who do I have to kill to get a part on this show?
May
8: Kardak
the Mystic #1 by Joe Corallo and Butch Mapa. I got a kick out of this
clever reboot of an Archie Comics super-hero who first appeared in
1939. Good characterization with a solid story and some surprises.
More, please.
May
9: Thunderbolts: The Saga of Yelena Belova. In the film, this
character (played by Florence Pugh) is a favorite of mine. I’d
never read her comic-book adventures until this collection. Some good
stuff here.
May
10: Us by Sara Soler. This is Soler’s autobiographical tale of her
partner transitioning from male to female and the changes
they
both faced. It is real, relatable and smart on every level, emotional
and physical. A landmark
graphic work.
May
11: Bragging
Rights on Wheel of Fortune. The hook: the three contestants are
friends who work with each other. This made for fun viewing and makes
me want to see comics creators competing against one another. Call
me, Vanna.
May
12: The Starbucks & PepsiCo remake of the iconic “Eye of the
Tiger” ad for the new Iced Energy drink. I first saw the version
they did with Seth Meyers and it was hilarious. I can get energy just
from watching this ad.
May
13: My new Black Lightning box. Built for me by Akai Coit, it holds
my blood glucose testing materials. Blood sugar levels, like
lightning, shall ever appear, to some people hope and to other people
fear.
May
14: Godzilla vs. Los Angeles is the latest in IDW’s Godzilla Vs.
America series of one-shots. 100% of the proceeds support from this
comic support BINC’s mission of book people caring for book people,
including comic-shop employees.
May
15: Winter Soldier (2019) by Kyle Higgins and Rod Reis. This
five-issue series has Bucky struggling with his own past while giving
second chances to others. Action and emotion. I liked it a lot. Was
there ever a follow-up to this concept?
May
16: Saturday Night Live’s season finale was terrific. Host Scarlet
Johansson was wonderful and almost all the sketches were hilarious. I
even enjoyed the musical numbers from Bad Bunny. It was a fun ninety
minutes.
May
17: Trapped and unable to move for half-a-hour. I’m sore but
otherwise uninjured. My SUV was not damaged, save for a $1,600 towing
charge. More details soon. For now, know God loves trans people and
our journeys to be ourselves.
May
18: The Simpsons: “Estranger
Things”. I’ve
never much cared for Itchy & Scratchy, but this episode was a
poignant commentary on putting aside childhood things and the bond
between Bart and Lisa and Homer. Nicely done.
May
19: The Wedding Banquet (2025). Starring Bowen Yang and many other
amazing actors, this comedy-romance is a queer remake of a 1993 film.
It’s beautiful, emotional, heartwarming and so damned satisfying. I
want to hug it and never let it go.
May
20: The
Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite is an
intriguing novel about a Haitian American teen with a passion for
cooking and zombie powers. In a world of the ultra-rich, she holds
her own.
May
21: Murderbot (Apple+). This mix of comedy and sci-fi stars a
security robot hiding its autonomy. It has an affinity for humans,
despite our weaknesses, and a Star Trek-like streaming series. I
loved the first episode.
May
22: The Atlas Artist Edition No. 2: Al Williamson. Edited
by Dr, Michael J. Vassallo, this gorgeous 10.1 x 1.4 x 13.8 inches
book collects all of the 99 stories the artist drew for Atlas in the
1950s. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
May
23:
I’m
in tears as I write this. My comp copies of DC Pride 2025 just
arrived. It’s overwhelming to see my real name in the credits and
to see my story there. I can’t wait for all of you to read it.
Thanks to everyone involved.
May
24: Saintly
Wife Barb is back from two weeks
vacationing
in Ireland with friends. She had the most wonderful time and loves
the place. I hope to visit there with her sometime. Until then, I’m
just thrilled to have her home.
May
25: Girlmode
by Magdalene Visaggio and Paulina Ganucheau. This story of a recently
transition girl making a new start in a LA high school covers a lot
of teen drama, but ends with a great message about embracing one’s
own strengths.
May
26: Beneath
the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath is a battle between
anthropomorphic serial killers in a sleepy village that hasn’t
previously known such horror. It’s chilling, suspenseful and highly
recommended.
May
27: Saint John by Dan Schkade and Brennan Wagner. A cynical NYC
reporter goes to Portland, Oregon to write about the title masked
dogooder. A fine down-to-earth super-hero series. I’m two issues in
and loving it!
May
28: Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L.
Combs and Andrew Eakett. Just as I learn more about my true self
every day, this smart graphic novel is teaching me more about folks
like me. We’ve always been with you.
May
29: Victoria
Groce is a force of knowledge and nature in the current Jeopardy
Masters tournament. There are some truly great players in the
tournament, but she dominates in a thrilling way. I could watch her
every week.
May
30: Poker Face: “Sloppy Joseph”. It’s Charlie versus a scary
sociopath, an elite school student. Eva Jade Halford is amazing as
the kid monster and the final scene of this episode made me LOL. It
was perfect!
May
31: Call me Jenny. The vast majority of my online friends and my
garage sales customers call me Jenny. This fills me with joy every
time. I know I don’t often look like a Jenny, but it’s an ongoing
process and I thank you for your support.
This month's top picks...
BEST
COMIC BOOK OR GRAPHIC
NOVEL: Us
by Sara Soler
BEST
BOOK: The Summer I Ate the Rich
BEST
MOVIE OR TV SHOW:
Thunderbolts*
BEST
PERSON: Peter David. You are missed.
BEST
OTHER THING: Seeing my story in the DC Pride anthology
June
continues my 2025 Vast Accumulation of Stuff comic books and pop
culture garage sales. You can find much more information on my
various social media, but, for now, here’s the schedule for June:
FRIDAY,
JUNE 13
SATURDAY,
JUNE 14
FRIDAY,
JUNE 20
SATURDAY,
JUNE 21
FRIDAY,
JUNE 27
SATURDAY,
JUNE 28
Thanks
for stopping by. I’ll be back with more bloggy things in the near
future.
©
2025 Tony Isabella