Here we are, just past mid-October and, as you may have noticed, I’ve been conspicuously absent from my site during one of my favorite times of the year…Autumn, and with it R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril. Although I’ve been absent in the flesh, I want you to know that I’ve not been absent in spirit.

I love this time of year. Nearly every morning, when the skies are clear of clouds, I get up and walk out my back door onto the deck to look up. Centered perfectly in my field of vision, where the trees part to reveal the sky, there sits an enormous constellation–Orion. My favorite. I feel so nostalgic during these times as I think back to elementary school and the inflatable planetarium our 6th grade teacher brought to our small country school. It filled up the entire library room and it captivated my attention.

Moving on from the star-filled Autumn skies, you might be wondering, what have I been doing if I haven’t been spending time with you good people.

Continue reading Is this thing still on? →

(Thief of War by Dominick Saponaro)

My alphabetical trip (by first name) continues with a look at the D list.

These artists are scheduled to be in attendance May 9-11 in Kansas City, MO at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3.

I offer the art without comment, as it can speak well enough for itself. Besides, I’d rather get your thoughts.

Under each piece is the name of the artist and a link to their respective website. Please consider giving them a visit to explore more of their work.

Come along, and enjoy!

Continue reading Spectrum Fantastic Art Live: The “D” List →

(Art by Donato Giancola)

I posted yesterday about a special Kickstarter project that is currently underway to fund a book produced by Flesk Publications that will be in part created by famed portrait photographer Greg Preston.

What may not have come across clearly is that this is an ART BOOK, and if you’ve ever held one of Flesk’s art books in your hands, you know they are a thing of beauty.

This will be a book featuring at least 50 artists that will include beautifully reproduced examples of their art, information about the artist, and an equally artistic photograph of the artist that will take place at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3 in one month’s time.

You do not have to attend Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3 to get this book, or to enjoy this book, although it will be a very cool memory if you can both support the project and attend the show.

If you are like me, it is the tempting lure of gorgeous artwork that grabs your eye, and subsequently your cash. So to help both you, and me, get excited about this project, I have created a collage of art from the 31 artists who are already scheduled to participate. The remaining 19+ will be a surprise, but given the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3 guest list, this book is going to be a visual feast.

If you want to be tempted, take the plunge.

Continue reading Kick Start the Art →

John Fleskes, president and publisher of Flesk Publications, teams up with renowned portrait photographer Greg Preston to produce a special book created on the showroom floor of the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event, held May 9-11th in Kansas City, Missouri.

Sessions: Spectrum Fantastic Art Portraits will feature the art, a brief bio, and a portrait created by Greg Preston of at least 50 of the creators behind today’s best contemporary fantastic art.

This project is a singular opportunity that YOU can make happen, and as an added bonus you are invited to witness its creation.

Continue reading Sessions: Spectrum Fantastic Art Portraits by Greg Preston →

When Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011, I felt like it was the best example of a comic book movie done right to that point. Grounding it in Captain America’s WWII roots and keeping the focus of the story in that time period lent it a weight that overshadowed the admitted silliness inherent in all comic book superhero films.

The combination of solid storytelling with the performance of Chris Evans, who surprised me after his more narcissistic portrayal as The Human Torch, made it easy to enjoy the movie for what it was. I was largely unfamiliar with the comic book character, but came away from the film with the opinion that it was one of the best, if not the best, superhero films I had seen to that point.

That opinion has not changed.

Over the last three years I have soured somewhat on superhero movies. I believe this has more to do with the fact that we have been inundated with these films than it does with the quality, although any weak entry into the canon, regardless of which company we are talking about, colors that opinion. That being said, I am happy to report that I continue to have a very high opinion of the Captain America franchise after viewing Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Strong performances by the principal actors, coupled with some nice story elements ensure the that over-the-top action sequences and implausible moments don’t detract from an enjoyable film experience.

Continue reading Captain America: The Winter Soldier →