CAO Brazillia

Gotham Central Issues 1-5 (In the Line of Duty)

 

While historically I’ve treated the work of the DC universe (not including the Vertigo group) as a collection of lesser works in the superhero genre, often to be ignored, primarily (and wrongly) based on an “us versus them” mentality as a fan of the Marvel universe, I have recently began delving into this other world.  Of the DC pantheon I’ve usually given a pass to what I would consider their premier property Batman, and so naturally I initially gravitated to various story lines and spin offs to begin wading more deeply into these foreign waters.

One very unique, and now defunct title, is the police procedural Gotham Central, written by Ed Brubaker and Gregg Rucka, and penciled by Michael Lark. While this book has the standard fare of the superhero story, the costumed hero and likewise outfitted villains, the storyline is primarily centered on the struggles of police detectives in a world where the caped crusader exists as both as an ally to the crime problem and as someone who challenges their authority and ability to be an effective crime fighting force.   This book takes a title like Batman and puts it in a very real “Law and Order” context.

The scope of the first five issues follows detective Driver as he and his partner(s) search for a girl believed to be kidnapped, through which the course of the story involves the infamous Mr. Freeze as well as a costumed arsonist. Despite the obvious opportunity for the book to be mired in comic book action, the writers have adeptly put the objective of hunting super villains into the hands of supporting cast members, This allows the pace of the story is not so much dictated by action, but by the realistic leg work of our primary protagonist and his very real world objective.

By the completion of this first leg of this title I have been left wanting more, without feeling that it needed more, and comes with a high recommendation from myself. 

Pope Crisco

Pork and Pipe Smoking

Living in the South Eastern United States one quickly learns to find the best places to dine on swine.  Coming from Texas, where beef barbecue is king, it took me a while to even try pork BBQ, but once I had my first pulled pork sandwich on two pieces of white bread, with the just as alien BBQ sauce that was thin, vinegary and spicy, I knew I had been missing out.

One place that my wife and I enjoy for ribs is a small regional chain known as Dreamland. Based out of Alabama, the company has two Atlanta Metro locations, their only ventures outside their home state.

 While I will say I have had more tender, fall off the bone, pork, the sauce here is one of the best I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy.   

As with most BBQ sauces from the region it is vinegar based, but whereas most are thin, and will soak bread, compromising a piece of white breads integrity,  there sauce is still thick, and will adhere to a piece of white bread, and stick quite nicely to ones ribs, and ones lunch.   Perhaps my enjoyment of their sauce is the happy medium between the sauces of the east and the molasses based sauces that I left in Dallas.

As well as the delicious, smoky and sweet meats that this chain cooks up, the branding of the restaurant also gets points by displaying the founder’s image, clenching a pipe. Being a pipe enthusiast it’s a fresh change of pace to see the hobby so predominately displayed.

Enjoy these pics from Dreamland BBQ, or better yet, find a way to get a slab.   

 

Intoxico Part II

“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.” Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Well, its been over 2 years since I’ve update this blog, I am assuming that about the last time I updated this blog I was starting to post videos and become a part of a very active YouTube community that shares the common obsession of pipe smoking.

Today, this blog will begin anew as a supplemental vehicle to my youtube channel to address other subjects that I often begin to make videos about, but often get discouraged during the process of producing and put aside.

I plan on trying to do one post a week, but will hope to get into the stride of creating content twice a week.

Topics will range from reviews of media, consumable goods and services, to limited rants on the culture which I observe. Perhaps if I get confident enough, even share some fiction. Otherwise, it will be a hodgepodge of unorganized bullshit.

Pope Crisco