This was inspired by a snowy day and a capering, cartoonish Jack Frost on the TV. It got me wondering whether Old Man Winter remembers the time When Glaciers Ruled the Earth…

Jack Frost

Does Jack Frost
remember Jötunn
when he bestrode the world
as Ice?

When men were small
and few
when the Night
was Ginnungagap
full of ice wind
ghosts
and wolves?

Then
we huddled by the fires
and sang our stories
and drove back the darkness
of ten thousand year Night.

In deep places
we sang to old gods
and Drew the Hunt
that the People might live.

Under a pale and frozen sun
we hunted
a God
The Mountain Who Walks
Mamut
men died
for his wrath
but the People went on.

Through the Long Night
through the Ice
into the age of the Sun
Unconquered.

The Ice
and the Night
and the wolves
have passed from memory
but Jack Frost
remembers Jötunn
when he bestrode the world
as Ice.

by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham (writers), Russ Braun (pencils & inks), Jose Marzan Jr. (inks), Andrew Pepoy (inks & balance), Daniel Vozzo (colors), and Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: Jack Frost battles the sorcerer while Jack Horner discovers his fate and the true nature of his condition.

What’s Good: Since he first appeared, I’ve always found Jack Frost a fairly bland character, a problem that seems to be fairly irresolvable.  That said, this is a surprisingly strong outing for him.  His banter with the sorcerer really is fairly funny at times and did bring me a couple of smiles.  It is fairly enjoyable to see how Frost’s inexperience as a hero also affects his ability to converse mid-battle.  Also, while it may be a little baffling to see Jack Frost as an exponent for modern lingo, his colloquial language also brings the laughs as it clashes with the sorcerer’s by-the-numbers fantasy villain dialogue.

Despite the bevy of inkers, this month is also a strong outing for Russ Braun.  His dragon looks great while retaining a sense of comedy through all, and his depictions of Brak the monster continue to be weirdly adorable.  Braun’s work alone gives the furry beast a lot more character than he otherwise might have.  As always, Braun’s work on his characters’ faces is also a joy.

What’s Not So Good: While this was a stronger issue for Frost, I still left the book feeling Frost to be a bland character incapable of carrying, or frankly deserving, an ongoing series.  He’s still little more than a standard character archetype, and a fairly uninspired one at that.  He’s the young, male hero.  That’s it.  Nowhere is this reflected better than in the internal monologue contained within this issue.  Usually, I love internal monologues as a means of getting to know characters better, yet here, Frost’s narration is a snore.  It’s little more than a paint-by-numbers recounting of the action, which is pretty indicative of the blandness of the character.  Worse still, there are far more of these narrating captions than need be.  Did we really need to have Frost retell the entire arc’s plot, in some detail, at the start of this issue?  It’s unnecessary, and it’s yawn-inducing.

It also doesn’t help that “the Sorcerer” is about as clichéd and uninspired a villain as I’ve ever seen in a comic book.  If that’s the kind of short-term villain Jack Frost’s book is going to be getting, it’s going to be a bad book indeed.  Seriously, the guy doesn’t even have a name.  He’s just “the sorcerer.”  That about sums him up, unfortunately.

Then there’s the scenes involving “Jack Dragon.”  This is nothing short of a complete catastrophe.  In fact, it’s insulting and borders on being a slap to the face of long-time Jack readers in just how poorly the whole thing is wrapped up.  Putting aside how wrong, and dispiriting, it is to remove the character for which the series is named, only to replace him with a much blander protagonist, the manner in which this done is just sloppy.

Jack’s banishment from his own series is abrupt and underwhelming.  In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen something this anti-climactic in a comic in a very long time.   Sturges apparently thinks removing the character in this manner is humorous, when it’s closer to nauseating and rage-inducing.  Even worse is just how ridiculously convenient and sudden the explanation for Jack’s transformation and consequent doom is.  It’s also unimaginative and lazy in the utmost.

But wait, didn’t we get the explanation for Jack’s transformation already?  All that stuff Gary (and DC’s solicitations) said about it being artist Tony Akins’ doing?  Yeah, apparently that just never happened.

Conclusion: Having been on-board since issue one, I’m sad to say that I’m done with this series.

Grade: D -

-Alex Evans

Well, Gore, you fucked me again.

The winter rears it’s ugly head with a Monday Morning Snowfall. Depending on how much you like winter, it can either be looked at this way:

Or, this way:

There is no middle ground.

BTW: Kevin Smith gets his “Eddie Murphy Singer Sketch” on about Twilight.

I’m beginning to lose all faith in Comcast and their lists.
Of course, I agree with a lot of the movies that are on the ‘best’ list, but they put the following on the worst list: Jack Frost, The Santa Claus, The Polar Express, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas [non-animated], and Christmas With The Kranks.

Sure, they may not be ‘classics’, but they are far from the worst holiday movies. In fact, I think I watch all of these movies numerous times each year.
Lame Comcast, lame.

To see the whole list of best and worst, click here.

Spit Supreme & DJ Manipulator collaboratation a banger for DJ Jack Frost from Worcester’s own Flava 105.5.

DJ Jack Frost Intro – Spit Supreme

It’s no great secret for the regular readers here that I tend to lean into the horror genre more often than not. I didn’t really want to create a horror movie blog because there are tons of those (I guess there’s tons of movie blogs as well though!) and I didn’t want to focus on one section of movies. I love all kinds of movies, some a little less than others but you can’t love every one. Even if I don’t want to write about horror movies all the time, my collection of flicks is full of them. That means that I end up watching them alot. But with Christmas around the corner I always end up watching all the amazing Christmas movies that I’ve seen over and over again. With some suggestions from Bartleby over at Cinematropolis, I realized that I can put my two great loves together – horror flicks and the Christmas season!

After some searching around, not too much mind you since I can only handle reading the same titles over and over again, I found a few. There doesn’t seem to be too many out there but I’ve managed to come up with some good, bad and ugly ones.

At first I was going to limit the list to movies specifically involving a crazy Santa or someone dressed as Santa. When I realized that there wasn’t very many movies to begin with, I knew I had to throw them all in. Let’s start with the good ones first.

GREMLINS

Sure, it doesn’t exactly involve Santa himself but it does happen at Christmas and contains one of my favorite parts of a movie ever, the bar scene. It’s funny and scary all rolled into one with Gremlins drinking and hollering and having quite a good party if I may say so. And who can forget when Kate tells Billy about her father getting stuck and dying in the chimney one Christmas when he tried to make like Santa! Darkly hilarious.

CHILD’S PLAY

Alright, this is stretching it. It’s not exactly Christmas, Chucky isn’t a Christmas present but there’s some snow around! That counts for something doesn’t it? Okay, maybe it doesn’t but I’m putting it in here anyway. I was also just reading that it’s getting the remake treatment. That’s actually a remake that I wouldn’t mind seeing. Both Child’s Play and Gremlins spawned quite a few sequels, none of them reaching the level of awesome that I found in the originals though.

Right, back to the truly Christmas related horror flicks!

JACK FROST

The name sounds familiar and I wasn’t sure how this fit in here until I realized that it wasn’t Michael Keaton going around slaughtering the neighbours. Can’t say I’ve seen this one. I actually haven’t seen many of the films that will be on this list but the buzz on this one is not good. I wasn’t exactly expecting the next great classic but it must be ’so bad it’s good’ at least.

Serial killer Jack Frost is on his way to be executed when his transportation collides with a trailer carrying genetic material, causing Jack Frost to combine with the snow thereby creating a serial killing snowman bent on revenge. Doesn’t that just scream holiday good times to ya! I know I’ll be looking for it.

This one had a sequel as well which I’m sure is just as classic as this one. Jack Frost did have the first appearance of Shannon Elizabeth though. All the great ones start in horror! Can you say Jennifer Aniston!

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT

This one is probably more popular due to the call of banning it outright back in 1984 since the killer is dressed as Santa. Early 80’s, not a good time to be a horror movie I guess. It’s gained quite a following since it was released becoming somewhat of a cult classic and is a little hard to find for purchase.

When Billy (seriously, what’s with all the Billy’s on the list?) sees his parents murdered by a man dressed as Santa, it sets him on the path of ’slaying’ the naughty people of the world. Someone should be doing a background check on these store Santa’s. Also another one I haven’t seen fully although one of my friends used to watch this over and over again. I’m sure I’ve seen the complete film at least once but when you see it piece by piece it’s hard to make sense of it. Maybe I’ll get it in my stocking this year!

This one has had 4 sequels and judging by what I’ve read, each one more horrible than the last.

BLACK CHRISTMAS

Hurray for Canada on this one! Shame for anyone making a remake of this one, shame. I used to go to the local video store, you remember those things right? Usually small places run by nice people and not giant mega stores that they are now….anyway. The guy that worked there would constantly be watching this movie, the image of a girl with a plastic bag over her head is burned in my brain now from seeing it so many times. And wouldn’t you know that it features another Billy! Seriously considering a name change right about now.

This was released in 1974 and many argue that it’s the true start of the ’slasher’ genre. It also has killer making phone calls from inside the house, a quite over-used idea now. While it’s not Santa himself doing the killings, it does take place at a sorority house during Christmas. Now that I think about it, this movie is full of clichés that had yet to be exploited. Sorority house, phone calls from in the house, the slasher. I guess us Canadians now how to start a trend. I’m not sure that everyone is thankful for that though.

SANTA’S SLAY

Big thanks to Bartleby for mentioning this one because it sounds awesome in its badness! I’ll be watching it tonight actually!

In this one we find out that Santa is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel and had to be good, bringing joy and toys to the kids of the world. When the bet is finally off, Santa can return to what he does best, killin’ people!

I don’t know much about this one and didn’t want to read too much since I’ll actually watch it tonight but doesn’t that just sound amazing anyway! It features Bill Goldberg as Santa, yeah, Goldberg the wrestler and he looks like he makes one mean Santa. I really can’t wait to see this one so you’ll all have to come back tomorrow to see what I thought about it.

DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

I saved this for last not because it’s the best but because it only came out this year. By the sounds of it I’m in for something really bad but when has that ever stopped me. Plus, that’s my job. I watch the bad flicks and tell you guys all about them.

Here we have another example of demented child (thankfully not named Billy) grows into a truly insane adult and begins killing people in the holiday season. I’ve read that it’s basically Halloween but at Christmas time. Sounds like the only really scary part about this one is the acting. Apparently over the top with some really bad dialogue, this one will probably have me laughing inappropriately when I should be shivering in fright.

It may not be a classic, or even good for that matter, but it’s another helping of holiday death!

Well, that’s the list! I left a few out, not too many mind you, and if anyone has heard of some others, let me know. I think my Christmas collection needs some more blood in it. I’ve already got my favorites lined up for Christmas but I think I’ll enjoy throwing some good old-fashioned horror into the mix. Now I’ve gotta get the kids to bed so visions of sugarplums can dance in their heads. And when their quietly tucked away I’m going to take a trip on Santa’s Slay. If you’re really good you’ll find a nicely wrapped blog post tomorrow, but if you guys are naughty then Santa and I are making stops at everyone’s house!

Under the mistletoe – Will

Frost on the windshield of my Pathfinder

Frost patterns like feathers

Morning frost on my windshield

Jack Frost
by Helen Bayley Davis

Someone painted pictures on my
     Windowpane last night –
Willow trees with trailing boughs
     And flowers, frosty white,

And lovely crystal butterflies;
     But when the morning sun
Touched them with its golden beams,
     They vanished one by one!

It’s cold enough these mornings for frost on the car windshield.  The icy patterns are exquisitely beautiful.  I remember Jack Frost visiting our old farmhouse in Minnesota.  When I was growing up, the upstairs was unheated, so our bedroom windows were often decorated with frost.

Mother Nature and Jack Frost are two of the world’s finest artists… and a couple days ago they collaborated on several masterpieces at the Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal…

What a great November gift!

T.

This morning there was a very heavy frost, and the results were breathtaking!

The Courtyard

The Ramapo Rhodies...

Frosted Roses

Wow!

Knot Garden & Kerr Elm

Grass Collection

And did I mention the roses?

Mother Nature sure has some wonderful tricks up her sleeve!

T.

OUR HOLIDAY BLENDS ARE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Whether you’re stocking up or stuffing stockings, Cherry Hill Coffee’s holiday blends are sure to keep you off Santa’s naughty list and give everyone that warm and fuzzy yuletide spirit. We have three seasonal blends to choose from (whole bean or ground); Jack Frost (Chocolate Mint), Christmas Blend and Gingerbread. Available here at the Kelowna roastery or at a cafe or organic grocer near you.

Jack Frost (Chocolate Mint)
Even Old Man Winter needs a hot cup of coffee. And when he reaches for his French press, this is what Jack is brewing. Toast the holidays with a festive blend of icy cool mint and silky smooth chocolate

Gingerbread
“Run, run, run as fast you can…before this holiday classic is gone!” Hansel and Gretel would be all over this spicy blend of fresh, ovenbaked gingerbread, with just a hint of brown sugar. A perfect complement to a snowy winter day.

Christmas Blend
This North Pole fave goes over huge with the herd. Sweet and spicy with a tremendous body and long finish, Christmas Blend is great for sharing with family and loved ones.

I love a back road,

right after a rain

when Autumn is saying

“I’m here, YES! I came”..

Little whispers of wind saying

  ”Watch Me turn green into Gold

with beautiful Ambers

and Scarlets  to hold”.

I love A back road,

all shinny and wet

saying “summer is leaving”

( but she’s still not gone yet).

i admit that she’s fading,

she’s fading fast

but all seasons change

her beauty won’t last.

once trees are naked,

and leaves carpet the ground

Jack frost and the old man

 will be hanging around…. 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psa. 91: 1-2 NIV)

I love planting flowers in the spring to spruce up our little acre but I am no longer physically able to work the earth with a rake and hoe.

So about 9 years ago I decided that all my flowers would be in pots, large ones and medium ones, scattered all over our yard. We also have 2 huge whiskey barrels that house red and pink Begonias. Having them in pots is so much easier to maintain than having them in flower beds.

This fall has been unseasonably cold. Down in the lower 30’s at night and 40’s during the day.

All of our flowers are gone, bitten by Mr. Jack Frost, except for one little Petunia that sits close to our sunroom window on our patio.

It amazes me how that one little purple flower has managed to hang on. Then I recognized the fact that this little petaled survivor was most likely being kept alive some what by the warmth coming from the sunroom, and also the protection of the corner wall where it sits.

This reminds me of us and our Heavenly Father. When we remain close to Him allowing Him to have His way with our lives… we are kept strong in His strength and love, no matter what is going on around us. We may be going through a winter in our lives, but if we trust our Abba Father God… we will turn out ok. God will be our source and our resource.

Thank You, Father, for always being our strength and hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 5 cats and a Lab/ Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html

Previously posted with chronicpaindevotional@yahoogroups.com by Rest Ministries 10/19/2009

I thought I knew what I wanted my Entertainment to be based on. There was a story I loved as a little kid called “Ever Green.” It was a story about a little blue bird that broken its wing and needed a tree to stay in for the winter. All the trees were cruel to this little bird, except for three trees. These three trees were rewarded by Jack Frost for their kindness. While all the other trees in the forest would lose their leaves and stand naked all winter long, the kind three trees would bloom and bloom and bloom and stay green forever.

Great story right? The problem was that this story didn’t fit well with any of my memories. So I thought a little more, and that is when I thought of my love for mermaids. When did that obsession begin? Having grown-up near the water, I would always “play” mermaid…in the springs, in the river, in a pool, the tub. I preferred the Hans Christian Andersen version of The Little Mermaid to the Disney version, which is interesting.

Once I got a clear idea of what I wanted my entertainment to be, the memories came easy.

by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham (writers), Russ Braun (pencils), Jose Marzan Jr. & Andrew Pepoy (inks), Daniel Vozzo (colors), and Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: Jack Frost gets his first real quest as a hero for hire, while Jack Horner just keeps getting fatter.

What’s Good: Well, this month wasn’t quite the tranquilizer that last month’s once.  Though I still miss Jack Horner, Jack Frost’s adventure may not be a complete disaster of mediocrity and boredom.  This month, he begins to show some actual character I can latch onto, sporting unlimited and naive optimism.   I hope that this optimism is explored a further, even if it means a darker direction.

What really keeps the character afloat, however, is his relationship with the wooden owl Macduff, who is actually turning into a decent character.  Inexplicably knowledgeable, well-spoken, and yet somehow socially inept, he is a fairly enjoyable read and some of his dialogue with Frost shows some solid synergy.  In particular, an early conversation regarding Macduff’s name straddles the line between intelligence and pointlessness in a manner that borders on Seinfeld-esque.

On art, Russ Braun basically delivers more of exactly what we expect from him: solid detail and a firm sense of comedy.  I still agree with Jack though – much of Braun’s greatest assets rest in his being a more restrained Tony Akins.

The best scene of the book though, is far and away that which features the now obese Jack Horner and his “little buddy” Gary.  Jack and Gary’s relationship remains weirdly adorable and fat Jack is laugh-worthy on sight alone.  Jack’s dialogue regarding his new eating habits and his new sense of fiscal responsibility are both absolutely hilarious, representative of the sort of ludicrous nonsense that marks the character at his best.

What’s Not So Good: And therein lies the problem of the book: the best scene of it involves the old main character in a scene which feels completely and utterly divorced from the rest of the issue.  The 17 pages of Jack Frost/Macduff, while not bad, pale in comparison to the 5 featuring Jack Horner.  Frost’s tale does have a naive and cutesy charm, but it simply lacks the spark and vitality of Horner and Gary.

A key part of this, I think, is that Jack Frost’s tale just isn’t all that special.  Frost is still the typical young man out to prove himself, with a quirky sidekick and, now, a bland damsel in distress.  Essentially, Sturges and Willingham are just writing a standard fairytale.  Fables’ premise was to transplant fairytales into a modern setting with fresh takes on old characters, but here, we have a straight-up fairytale being written with your average fairytale characters and setting.  As a result, it just doesn’t feel particularly special.

I’ve also got to punish this issue for what can only be described as flagrant misinformation.  The solicitation for the comic and its cover would have you believe that the focus of the book is on Jack Horner’s battle with artist Russ Braun.  Indeed, the solicitation text doesn’t even mention Jack Frost.  The reality is that Horner appears in all of five pages, with said conflict only barely being referenced.  It’s clear that DC, aware of a potential sales drop with the shift in focus, direction, and tone, have decided to distort the facts in an attempt to stave off losses for at least another month.

Conclusion: It’s a touch better than last month, but this is still somewhat bland.

Grade: C+

-Alex Evans