2012 Graphic Novel Challenge

Last year I completed the 2012 Graphic Novel Challenge. Below are the list of the graphic novels I read in regards to the challenge. Not all of these were books that I reviewed last year, however.

1.  The Carl Banks Big Book of Barney Bear  Ed. Craig Yoe
2.  Spy Vs. Spy: The Top Secret Files   by Peter Kuper
3.  King Lear: The Graphic Novel   by Gareth Hinds & William Shakespeare
4.  Around the World   by Matt Phelan
5.  American Vampire, Vol. 1  by Scott Snyder & Stephen King
6.  Zig & Wikki in the Cow  by  Nadja Spiegelman & Trade Loeffler
7.  Batman: The Black Mirror  by Scott Snyder
8.  Dante's Inferno: The Graphic Novel   by Joseph Lanzara
9.  Excalibur: The Legend of King Arthur  by Tony Lee & Sam Hart
10. The Walking Dead, Vol. 5: The Best Defense  Robert Kirkman
11. Jurassic Park: Redemption   by Bob Schreck, et al.
12. Smurfs #8: The Smurf Apprentice  by Peyo
13. The Shark King   by R. Kikuo Johnson
14. Eyewitness: Unknown God   by Robert Luedke
15. American Vampire, Vol. 3  by Scott Snyder
16. Smurfs #10: The Return of Smurfette   by Peyo
17. Animal Man, Vol. 1: The Hunt   by Jeff Lemire, et al.
18. Smurfs #11: The Smurf Olympics   by Peyo
19. Revolver   by Matt Kindt
20. Batman, Vol. 1: The Court of Owls  by Scott Snyder, et al.
21. Tron: Betrayal   by Jai Nitz, et al.
22. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1: Change Is Constant   by Kevin Eastman, et al.
23. Zombies   Ed. Craig Yoe & Steve Banes
24. Green Arrow, Vol. 1:  The Midas Touch   by J.T. Kraul
25. Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games   by Greg & Erik Bean
26. Maya Makes a Mess   by Rutu Modan
27. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Vol. 1: The War of Monsters   by Jeff Lemire
28. Benny & Penny in Lights Out!   by Geoffrey Hayes
29. The Secret of the Stone Frog   by David Nytra
30. Ernest & Rebecca 3: Grandpa Bug    by Guillaume Bianco & Antonelio Dalena
31. Power Rangers Super Samurai: Terrible Toys   by Stefan Petrucha & Paulo Henriques
32. Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1: Small Volcanoes   by Sarah Kinney & Stefan Petrucha 

Do You Belong to the Government?

Last night (Sept. 4, 2012) as part of the Democratic National Convention, this snippet of a video was part of the evening festivities. In the greater context of the entire video, the statement "The government is the only thing we all belong to," is clarified somewhat and I believe I understand why this statement was included. Yet, this is a statement that shouldn't be glossed over. It speaks to the core of the major differences between progressives and conservatives in the country; it illustrates a contrasting world view, one that I do not share. Though much of the political climate of the past few years has tried to force us to belong to the government, I do not belong to the government. I am not a slave to the behemoth of bureaucracy that has become the government. I am a free man with God-given individual rights, including but not limited to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I understand why some might ignore or try to gloss over this video. Yet, though I understand, I cannot forget it. A few weeks ago a Congressman from Missouri was pilloried (and rightly so) for making a major verbal faux pas. This video wasn't a verbal mistake made by one man. It was made by members of the Democratic National Convention (the DNC has to ok everything that happens on the main stage, make no mistake about that) for a national audience. It was carefully filmed and edited. Every syllable and image was given the utmost scrutiny and after all of that, this statement still remained. Why is that? Do you belong to the government? What is your number? As for me, I am not a number, I am a free man.

Happy Leap Day!