Madness. I can’t read one of my local newspapers or watch the news on TV without being horrified by the growing insanity of the current administration and its supporters. Obviously, as a transwoman, I’m in their crosshairs, but so are so many other decent people. I would be swallowed up by that darkness if I did not believe that, ultimately, decency will carry the day and the criminals will be subjected to the justice they deserve.
In the meantime, I write. I work on what will be my final comic books and pop culture garage sales of the year. I prepare for my first convention appearance as Jenny Blake, my authentic self. I try to be as supportive as possible for my LGTBQ+ community, for the comics community and for all those I cherish. And, I do this one other thing to keep my spirits high.
Every day, I seek out and write about something in my life that brings me joy. It’s a little thing, but it does wonders for my heart and soul. I hope these daily snippets likewise bring joy to all of you as well.
Here are the things that made me happy in September.
September 1: The Charlton Companion by Jon B. Cooke (2020) is the story of the “All-In-One” publisher. I’ve read Charlton comics since the early 1960s and was utterly fascinated by all I didn’t know about them. A great book of comics history.
September 2: Spider-Man vs. the Sinister Sixteen by J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Noto. Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, and well over a dozen heroes and villains walk into a fancy French restaurant. Hilarity ensues. Highly recommended.
September 3: K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix). The title explains the concept. Interesting characters. Catchy songs. Some genuine emotion and peril. Besides, I’m a sucker for a good redemption story. A hundred entertaining minutes. Recommended.
September 4: Nobody 2. Good violent fun for the whole family. Or maybe not. For me, seeing Bob Odenkirk, family and friends deal with bad people fills me with joy. Sharon Stone is hilarious as the main villain.
September 5: Our son Ed is running for Medina City Council at large. Saintly Wife Barb and I picked up his lawn signs and t-shirts. We’re so proud of this fine man. With his engineering expertise, he’s the best candidate.
September 6: Hansel and Gretel. Stephen King teams with the late Maurice Sendak for a fine retelling of the classic fairy tale. It doesn’t shy away from the gruesome elements of the story, but is still a great book for children of all ages.
September 7: Young Men in Love. Edited by Joe Glass and Matt Miner, this queer romance anthology is just under 200 pages of interesting stories and terrific full-color art. Recommended for queer and straight readers alike.
September 8: My every other year eye examination could not have gone better. My eyes have not changed in the two years since the last exam. It’ll help to see clearly as I begin learning how to do makeup. Will I have Betty Davis eyes?
September 9: The new seasons of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are here! I cherish spending a relaxing hour every weeknight in a space where words and facts still mean something. If only our country could follow suit.
September 10: Jeopardy. On the September 10 episode, the correct answer to a clue about ME TV was “Who is Svengoolie?” The world needs more Svengoolie. Might I suggest an appearance on the next Celebrity Jeopardy?
September 11: Bandette Volume Five: The Wedding of B.D. Belgioue by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover. From the first time I met “the greatest thief in the world,” I’ve loved the charming pixie and this is the best book in the series.
September 12: DC Finest: Superboy: The Superdog from Krypton. I am totally loving this collection of stories from 1954 and 1955, almost all of which I had never read before. The writers are too often unknown, but there’s real heart to these tales.
September 13: My dear pals Sam Maronie and Kevin Kenney-Maronie visited my garage sale on their way to Skunkfest in nearby North Ridgeville. (Yes, that’s a thing.) It was an unexpected delight to see them and made my day.
September 14: Movie Monster Comics Treasury also known as Retro Comic Reprints #351. Available from Barnes & Nobel, it collects cinema-based Dell horror comics. Interesting takes not always based on the seeming source material.
September 15: The Avengers in the Veracity Trap! by Chip Kidd & Michael Cho. It’s as if they asked “What would 12-year-old Tony love?” Maybe something with the early Avengers, Marvel Monsters and Loki? Yep, they nailed it.
September 16: I’m enjoying Teachers Week at Wheel of Fortune. No Jefferson Pierce references, but Vanna White was nice to look at in her semi-sexy teacher outfits. But, I ask, when are going to get Trans Comics Creators Week?
September 17: Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy! by Claire McNear. This delivers on its sub-title with fascinating information on near every aspect of the game.
September 18: Before Gender: Lost Stories from Trans History 1850-1950 by Eli Erlick. Thirty trans people whose tales change everything I thought I knew about trans history. Gender studies are among my new jams.
September 19: DC Finest: Metamorpho the Element Man. Jesus loves me, this I know, because I have this great collection of all the early Metamorpho stories. If He could arrange for me to write a Metamorpho series, I’d be in Heaven.
September 20: We joined the fabulous Jess and her boyfriend Rick for the lady’s birthday dinner at Akron’s legendary Luigi’s, the home of great pizza and more. A wonderful time was had by all and I only waddled a little bit afterwards.
September 21: Bernd das Brot. He’s a depressed loaf of German bread who has been a star for 25 years. I want to write a Bernd comic. Who better? I’m a baker’s child living in Trump’s fascist America. It could be my Howard the Duck!
September 22: Reptisuarus #6 (October 1962). I’m having the best time reading this Charlton title. It’s the big goofy-looking red lizard fighting Communists with all the cold war hilarity you’d expect. These are classic monster comics.
September 23: Justice League of America #42 (February, 1966). As a kid, it thrilled me to see Metamorpho appearing here. But I was disappointed it’d be years before he made another appearance and that the intriguing Unimaginable never returned.
September 24: Gorgo #12 (April, 1963). Reptisaurus, the original version, guest-stars, fighting invading aliens alongside Gorgo and his mom and establishing they are part of the same universe. Konga feels left out.
September 25: Dracula Book Two: The Brides by Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones with Jose Villarrubia. There has never been a more evocative and gorgeous examination of Stoker’s classic character than this series. Most highly recommended.
September 26: Doing “The Element Man” as seen in Metamorpho #8 October 1966). “Make like a metal. Get hot like an acid. Shake like a test tube. Man, be solid and life’s just a gas! Yeaaah!” Dance with me, you fools!
September 27: Welcome to the Maynard by James Robinson and J. Bone is a cinematic blockbuster waiting for someone smart enough to make it. A magic hotel. A feisty house detective in training. Thrills. Mystery. Suspense. Not to be missed.
September 28: House of Guinness (Netflix). A historical drama set in 19th Century Ireland isn’t my usual fare, but Barb wanted to watch it and I love watching stuff with her. The characters and setting are intriguing. I’m hooked.
September 29: Cryptology. Having enjoyed other works by editor Peter Normanton, subscribing to this quarterly magazine of retro horror was a no-brainer. Terrific articles and visuals on comic books, movies and more. Highly recommended.
September 30: Doug Wagner. I sort of stumbled into following this writer. His quirky comedy/horror/noir comics, such as I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer and Klik Klik Boom, speak to me. If I see his name on a title, I’ll read it.
BEST COMIC BOOK/GRAPHIC NOVEL/MANGA: Dracula Book Two: The Brides by Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones with Jose Villarrubia.
BEST BOOK: The Charlton Companion by Jon B. Cooke
BEST MOVIE OR TV SHOW: K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
BEST PERSON: Ed Isabella.
BEST OTHER THING: Bernd das Brot
Some quick reminders. My final 2025 comic books and pop culture garage sales are Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11, from 9 to noon at 840 Damon Drive, Medina, Ohio.
Akron Comicon is my next and perhaps final convention appearance of 2025. It’s Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10, Emodio’s Expo Center, 48 E Bath Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH . Hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
I’m available to appear at conventions and other events. However, I will need the events to cover my hotel and travel expenses, and, as I sometimes need a cane, provide me with a booth that’s easy to get in and out of. Interested promoters should e-mail me sooner rather than later.
I’m also available for paying acting and writing gigs. Interested parties should also e-mail me for these.
That’s all for now. Stay well, be strong and be kind to others. If we stick together, we can create a better country and world. I’ll be back soon with more stuff.
© 2025 Tony Isabella
