You an old man!

I just went out to push the apartment building’s Volkswagen sized dumpster into the street for tomorrows pickup. Five little, yes they were shorter than I, children were playing in the yard, maybe ages 2-5 years old. They ran up to me. The oldest in the group, pointing at my face, said, “You an old man. How old are you?”

Gee, I guess I'm thankful my eyesight is so blurry. I hadn't noticed my image in the mirror changing, other than when I needed a haircut or a shave. I think that was the first time anyone has told me I am old. I should be grateful. From now on I know my place in an expanding universe and waistline.

I was taken by surprise at this realization as much as when someone called me “sir” for the first time. I had sat at the counter of a tiny eatery on South Jefferson Street in a small town in Pennsylvania and ordered a hamburger with mustard and relish only. When my order was brought over, the waitress, several years older than I, without emotion said, “Here you are sir.” It struck me that I had never heard those words direct at me. After all, I had a week before graduated from high school and I was used to being called many other things.

When I had told this story of my new cosmic awareness to my wise sister, she encouraged me to, “Embrace it.” I think I will go outside and tell the kids to, “Get off the lawn!” but now I am afraid to go outside.




P.S.  I stepped outside to take a late afternoon walk and now my name is, "Hi old man I saw before."

Gruß vom Krampus - Greetings from Krampus

As a  child, some would say I still am, I had no knowledge of Krampus. If you were naughty, we were told Santa might not give you any presents or put lumps of coal in your stocking. Krampus has a whole different set of rules and punishments. You are lucky if you only get beaten with a stick. Krampus hauls the truly naughty children off to some unspoken fate.

Be good!

Planning for the Holidays

Have the best of holidays and a healthy happy New Year!

Face Pie - Halloween Meat Pie - Food Wishes

October Yokai: Rokurokubi

I do not think this Japanese yokai has any special powers other that stretching its neck. Another type of rokurokudi detaches its head which floats about. I imagine a chance between a neck stretching dog and cat would be fun to see.

The Halloween orange was my first idea for the art; but I thought I'd also try a dark night sky.

The Aswang Phenomenon - Full Documentary on the Filipino Vampire

6 Types of Chinese Zombies/Vampires and How to Defeat Them

The Moon-Man!, Strange Tales #42

There is something satisfying about a small story that expands into a much larger theme. The four page lengh of this tale is just long enough to develop some interest and concern for the character. There are plot difficulties. Even in 1955 the Earth had telescopes powerful enough to see any floating cities on the moon. I guess that could be explained by a lunar population existing only on the far side of our moon, but what the story says anyway is "we see what we want to see."

Script:Paul S. Newman_Pencils/Inks:Bernie Krigstein

Scans taken and color corrected a bit from Four Color Shadows.