Every day, I wake to reports of anti-trans actions and attacks by the Trump administration and its equally vile followers. That it is an unreasoning hatred that goes against the foundations of basic decency and our democracy is no comfort. Of less comfort is that in all other areas of our lives, it’s clear this awful administration is just as determined to make the world less safe for all but the billionaire class.
Every day, I wake up with the knowledge that, as a trans woman, I will likely die at the hands of Republican violence. As they deny my humanity, they make it clear it is they who are inhuman. If you vote Republican, you are no friend of mine. If you claim to be a fan of my writing, you aren’t. You obviously lack even the most rudimentary understanding of my writing stands for, what it has always stood for.
I refuse to yield my belief that my country and its people will eventually overthrow the dictator and his fascist cult. That the United States will again strive to achieve the vision put forth in the laws and principles of our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our better angels. Until then, I cling to that which bring me joy in these dark times.
Here are the things that made me happy in April...
April 1: Silence is not an option. I bought this t-shirt from the Human Rights Campaign. I connected with its powerful message as soon as I saw it. I’ll be wearing it later this week and also at some of my garage sales.
April 2: Judge Susan Crawford won the election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, beating Elon Musk’s candidate by double digits. We can beat Trump’s biggest campaign donor. We must remove him from our government. Prison would be nice.
April 3: Hurricane Bianca (2016). A New York teacher moves to small town Texas where he's fired for being gay. He returns in disguise to continue teaching. A fun drag revenge comedy with a heart of gold and an impressive cast.
April 4: Innocence and Seduction: The Art of Dan DeCarlo by Bill Morrison. This wonderfully made volume is a biography, study and loving tribute to one of the finest comic-book artists of all. A great gift for any comics fan.
April 5: Godzilla Vs. Chicago. Part of the Godzilla vs. America series from IDW, this is an amazingly fun anthology of the Big G visiting the Windy City. Hey, IDW, I’d be available for Godzilla vs. Cleveland. Just saying.
April 6: I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #1 by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard. A stylish and very creepy series about an interesting young woman. It reminds me of Lady Killer, but much much darker. I’m on board for future issues.
April 7: Goth Kid on Vacation. This Saturday Night Live sketch starring Michael Longfellow and Jack Black had me, as they say, laughing out loud. It was pure glee. I want to see it expanded into a full-length movie.
April 8: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The April 6 episode focused on trans athletes. It was empathetic, informative and insightful. I think it should be must viewing for all families and politicians.
April 9: Doc Savage: The Ring of Fire by David Avallone and Dave Acosta. Lost in my VAOS since 2017, this is a great adventure of the pulp magazine legend. Especially choice is the emphasis on Pat Savage and another legendary heroine.
April 10: You Belong Here by Sara Phoebe Miller and Morgan Beem is yet another coming-of-age story, a common theme. But Essie’s journey resonated with me and gave me feels and it’s why I highly recommend this book.
April 11: Lucky Cat Waving Arm Set. Just about 3 inches high, I bought this nick-knack as a gift for Saintly Wife Barb. It’s so adorable I feel like buying one for every room in the house. I wish you good fortune, my friends.
April 12: DinoGator. This film by Jim Wynorski is by no means a classic, but it’s got some good acting, some okay effects and is the equivalent of a fast food hamburger and fries. Just familiar comfort food for monster lovers.
April 13: DC Finest: Science Fiction: The Gorilla World won’t be published until mid-July, but I’m already tickled by the idea of this collection. But when are we going to get that Jimmy Olsen’s Adventures in Crossdressing volume?
April 14: DC’s anti-tariff discounts on young adult and middle graphic novels. What impresses me as much as the discounts is DC calling them anti-tariff discounts. A courageous stand in these times of extreme MAGA madness.
April 15: Betty White. I bought three sheets of stamps honoring this dear lady and did so before the price of postage went up. Her smile always makes me feel good. I hope it does the same for the receipts of the cards and such I use them for.
April 16: From the opening pages, I felt a connection to Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney. Her journey is different from mine, but she answers similar questions with heart and humor. I love her a lot.
April 17: Leverage: Redemption has launched its third season on Amazon Price. I like it better than the brilliant original. The team of con artists and thieves are even more fun without a real “father figure.”
April 18: Chirps by Lawrence Lieber. I’m excited to have a copy of my pal Larry’s first published novel. Reading it will be my reward for finishing my current script. Waiting until then will require tremendous will power.
April 19: Fire on the Water by Scott MacGregor and Gary Dunn. An original graphic novel, it imagines the lives of blue-collar workers involved in the real-life Lake Erie tunnel disaster of 1916. Absolutely riveting reading.
April 20: Plastic by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard. Serial killer Edwyn, his love doll and an evil billionaire. A creepy GN from the creators of I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer. It’s twisted as Hell and I loved it.
April 21: Companion. Streaming on MAX, it’s a horror/sci-fi film set in a near-future time when robots are common and available for purchase rent. It’s unsettling in a good way with excellent performances by Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid.
April 22: The Bondsman. Kevin Bacon’s back as a backwoods bounty hunter released from Hell to kill demons. Bountiful surprises in the first eight-episode season and an outstanding performance by Beth Grant as his shotgun-toting mom.
April 23: Godzilla Mechagodzilla 50th Anniversary Special by Rich Dovek and Andrew Griffith. A somewhat revisionist history of the two foes, but it’s dramatic with great characters and a terrific big finish. Recommended.
April 24: We Stand on Guard by Brian K. Vaughan and Steve Skroce is brilliant, but does not make me happy. It’s a scary prophecy on how a madman like Trump could make the United States a nation of brutal war criminals.
April 25: Deli Boys (Hulu). Pakistani-American brothers men have their lives blown up when they learn their recently-deceased father was a crime boss. It’s delicious dark humor, especially when their fierce aunt takes center stage.
April 26: Indie Bookstore Day at Black Cat Books and Oddities in Medina. My favorite bookstore was packed with excited customers standing in line to buy hundreds of books. I was one of them and bought a book set in Medina from a local author.
April 27: Godzilla Rivals: Mothra vs. Hedorah by Josh Trujillo and Joshua Cornillon. My second favorite Toho kaiju battles my third favorite Toho kaiju. A new origin for Hedorah. New twins for Mothra. One of the best in this series.
April 28: Plush by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard. What’s wrong with me that I’ve become such a fan of this team’s twisted crime horror comics. This one’s about cannibal furries. Maybe next time they’ll get to the current administration.
April 29: Just announced. The DC Pride 2025 anthology will have an autobiographical story by me. My first credit as Jenny for a major publisher. The story with editor Andrea Shea, artist Sara Soler and letterer Jodie Troutman fills me with joy.
April 30: The Chow Maniac by Vivien Chien. The eleventh book in the Noodle Shop Mystery series finds restaurant manager Lana Lee discovering a secret society in her Asia Village. Why is there no Lana Lee TV series? She’s a great character.
BEST COMIC BOOK OR GRAPHIC NOVEL: I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #1 by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard.
BEST BOOK: Innocence and Seduction: The Art of Dan DeCarlo by Bill Morrison.
BEST MOVIE OR TV SHOW: Deli Boys
BEST PERSON: Betty White.
BEST OTHER THING: Writing a story for DC’s 2025 Pride Anthology.
May brings the start of 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 May:
FRIDAY, MAY 9
SATURDAY, MAY 10
FRIDAY, MAY 16
SATURDAY, MAY 17
FRIDAY, MAY 23
SATURDAY, MAY 24
FRIDAY, MAY 30
SATURDAY, MAY 31
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be back with more bloggy things in the near future.
© 2025 Tony Isabella
Inspirational in so many ways. The future will be bright just by being who we are
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