By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

First of all to all you persnickety poo poohs, I don't really know all there is to know about The Hunger Games. I'm just being referential to an old pop culture reference. As a matter of fact, I came on a little late in the game. (Oh, how I love puns!)

I had heard buzz about the books being like Twilight, so, naturally, the simile triggered my gag reflex. Don't get me wrong, I'm as ready for a shirtless werewolf or vampire as the next queen, but I really don't need to see Kristen Stewart popping out the demon seed.

It was actually my colleague, editor, and ultimate Fangirl Barbra J. Dillon that convinced me to get on the Hunger tip. She's obsessed with Katniss and even dresses up as her in an RKO fireside chat-type portrayal of Miss Everdeen in The Katniss Chronicles. Yes, she is that girl! Don't fret, she is absolutely perfect as Katniss, so much so I even imagine Babs as Katniss when I read the books. I seldom read books without pictures, so that is kind of a big deal. Needless to say, I immediately fell in love with the book! (Thanks, Barb!) Now, on to the movie.

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

With the current housewife craze thanks, in part, to the popularity of Desperate Housewives and subsequent Bravo reality rip-offs (The Real Housewives of fill-in-the-blank), we shan't over look how wonderfully messed up the not-so-single ladies of the Marvel Universe are.

Invisible Woman: Most women lament that their husbands treat them as if they're invisible, but mine takes the transparent cake. Not only does my husband treat me that way, he made me that way in a horrible test flight gone wrong! How do you like them apples? No wonder I wish I was sleeping with the fishes! Don't worry, I'm far from suicidal; I'm talking about Namor, King of the Sea. Now there's a can of chunky light albacore I'd like to open. If my husband can't see me, let him smell me!

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

I feel like sinnin'. Must be the Tanqueray. Damn, I picked the wrong life to quit drinkin'. Madonna's new record MDNA drops this week, and I'm spinning, baby, out of control. Madonna came up in the clubs with music that double dog dared you not to dance to it, and MDNA is a face slapping reminder of that.

You know how to whistle, baby. Just put your lips together...and blow. And now, I offer you a blow-by-blow of the tracks off of Madonna's killer new dance album, MDNA. (You gotta love that title!)

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

My newest guilty pleasure has to be Shark Tank, Friday nights on ABC. In this reality competition, the contestants (or would-be entrepreneurs, as it were) present their pitches for a business or product idea to the "Sharks" for investment consideration and business partnership. The sharks are made up of a panel of billionaire investors. Your goal is to get any shark to invest in your concept, and if not, you walk away with nothing, the least of which being your dignity.

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

I have had the privilege to take art classes at one of the finest museums in the country, and if you asked me who my favorite artist is, I would unhesitatingly say George Perez every time and explain that, yes indeed, he does draw funny books.

Meet the amazing writers and artists of Womanthology on Sunday, March 25th, at 1:00 p.m. at Emerald Knights - Comics and Games in Burbank, CA!

Womanthology is a large-scale anthology that showcases the works of women in comics.  It is created entirely by over 140 women of all experience levels, from school-aged girls who love to read comics to top industry professionals. 


The hard cover edition of Womanthology will be on sale for $50, and profits from the sale of this book will go towards the charity Global Giving.  Don't miss this opportunity to meet these talented creators at your neighborhood comic book shop!



The following Womanthology contributors are scheduled to appear:

Jean Kang - Artist
Jenna Busch - Writer
Kimberly Komatsu - Writer
Amanda Deibert - Writer
Nicole Sixx - Writer/Artist
Mary Bellamy - Artist
Jody Houser - Writer
Candace Ellis - Artist

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

It's been a long time since you've been around. It's been a long time since you've been in town. Brian K. Vaughan is my absolute favorite comics writer. I would read the ingredients of dairy products if BKV wrote them. (Golly, maybe I should read the ingredients of dairy products!)

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

Once upon a time, Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie were tabloid cover darlings, notoriously gracing the gossip pages. Nicole for her thinness and Jessica for...for...well, whatever in the hell she was on the covers for. Now, they are two of the "mentors" on NBC's 5-years-later answer to Project Runway.

Elle McPhereson is Heidi Kluhm, except you can understand her. Nicole Richie is Nina Garcia, except she's funny. John Varvatos is NOT Michael Kors. And, Jessica Simpson is, oh...sweet, simple Jessica Simpson. Competitors pitch their looks to retailers Macy's, H & M, and Saks Fifth Avenue; if they are made an offer, they are saved from elimination and their looks are available online the next day. A fun concept, dare I admit.

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

This week sees the airing of ABC's Desperate replacement, GCB, where Real Housewives meets Dallas in this over-the-top, campy dramedy. It's good. It's not great. I like it. I don't love it. It shows great potential with good talent, acting, writing, and concept. I do feel a little duped, as I was initially just filling the void left by Pan Am's emergency landing. But, I'm not made out of gold lamé. I was willing to give these Southern Drag Queens a chance.

By Michael Fitzgerald Troy

First, let it be said that I absolutely love horror movies and will watch any of them regardless of how good or bad they may be. Although, the current trend of horror movies is usually bad, I am terrified to say. Is it really that hard to scare any more? Startling someone sitting in their car by banging on their window isn't exactly the stuff of nightmares. Give me something that will keep me awake for a week for the love of The Exorcist!