Funny how things never really change, eh? (Having said that, I reserve the right to completely contradict myself in a future post.) In the 1960s, I was reading The FANTASTIC FOUR in WHAM! and BATMAN in SMASH! (and watching his show on TV), as well as playing the Caped Crusader in my homemade Batman suit while running around the neighbourhood with my pal JOHN FIDLER as ROBIN, The BOY WONDER. (No need to wonder - he was a real boy! And you can read about those childhood escapades here.)
So what did I treat myself to for Christmas this year? The JOHN BYRNE FF OMNIBUS Volume 2 and an ADAM WEST poseable Batman figure by MATTEL. Funny how many of my interests are exactly the same today as they were when I was a child - or is it? Adults I know who still drink furtively in underpasses did the same thing as teenagers (or younger). A large number of people tend to perpetuate the pursuits of their youth, so, if you've got kids, perhaps the best gift you can bestow upon them is to help them cultivate an interest in worthwhile pastimes for the future. You know it makes sense. Sermon over - Merry Christmas.

