While comic books trace their origins to the late 19th century, Superman, who debuted in 1938's , is virtually synonymous with the medium. Yet, as Superman: the Complete History shows, the Man of Steel has also made a lasting impact in comic strips, film, toys, TV, radio, and even on Broadway. In this beautifully composed volume, Les Daniels collects rare and never-before-seen early artwork by Superman's teenage creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (including a two-page doodle from 1936 featuring early Superman costume designs), and he chronicles the evolution of the character from an orphan alien comics hero to a complex multimedia icon. Entire pages are devoted to photographs of the various costumes worn by TV and film incarnations, of numerous action figures and related toys, and of movie poster and stills. Several comics stories are also reproduced in their entirety. Almost as impressive as the stunning art design is Daniels's narrative: covering the 60 years from 1938 to 1998, he collects interviews with several writer-artist teams that detail the changes in the Man of Steel and his relationships with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and Perry White. Daniels's examination of the "Death of Superman" story arc, in particular, is a fascinating study of Superman's commercial and archetypal appeal. The final pages preview Superman tales by Barry Windsor-Smith and Alex Ross (whose beautiful painted graphic novel Kingdom Come turned many heads). --

Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man; Appalachian Spring (Suite): Rodeo (Four Dance Episodes); Billy the Kid (Ballet Suite)
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein conductor
Classical | 1 CD | EAC Rip | 300 MB (3% recovery) | FLAC+LOG+Cue | Full scans | RS links
Publisher: CBS Masterworks | Recorded: 1695 | Published: 1987

Editorial Reviews - Amazon.com Essential Recording
Happy is the composer who has an advocate as passionate and talented as Leonard Bernstein. These Copland performances have been the preferred versions since they were first issued–better even than the composer's own, later recordings… Bernstein brings to this music the right sharpness of rhythm but also a typically open-hearted warmth. He coaxes a virtuoso response from the New York Philharmonic, which knows this music as well (or better) than anyone. Self- recommending. –David Hurwitz

Learning to Freefly - BACKFLY
DVD Video | English | VBR | 720x480 | MPEG 2 ~4500 kbps | 29.97 fps
Subtitle: English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian

Dolby AC3 | 2 channels | 192 Kbps | 48.0 KHz | 01:30:00 | 2.88 GB

FreeFly, SkyDiving

The Backfly DVD is the first in a series of six videos created to help skydivers learn how to freefly in an easy to understand manner.
The DVD also has Multi-language sub titles, interactive 3D animation, and extra tracks with freefly coaches commenting about safety and other tips for beginner freeflyers.

The hunt for the emperor's apprentice continues in this tale of Sith vs. Sith! Proving his worth to the Dark Council by capturing Exal Kressh may be the end of young Sith Teneb Kel; and a brief encounter with his skilled prey brings some questions to the surface . . . Why would a loyal apprentice betray her emperor and the entire Sith Empire? Based on the highly anticipated MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) from LucasArts and BioWare! Written by senior game writer Alexander Freed! The newest Star Wars era begins here! --

RODIMUS might be impulsive, but he's not stupid. The last anyone saw of him, he was rocketing off Earth in disgrace and a stolen ship. In this issue we finally see where he went, what his plan was, and which long-absent DECEPTICONS he came up against. Mike Costa and fan-favorite artist Nick Roche deliver a stand-alone issue that sets up the entire second year of the hit ongoing series. --

The shocking battle for our dimension comes to a shattering conclusion; and not everyone will survive!! Who will make the ultimate sacrifice to save us? Marvel fans will not want to miss this startling chapter in Avengers history. Plus: another chapter in the oral history of the Avengers! --