Fuck illness. Fuck being sick.
My medical odyssey began with a cold on January 2nd… That lasted almost 3 weeks– complete with sharp, lingering abdominal pain that had me banging back and forth to different “Healthcare Providers” like a silver ball in a pinball machine.
Was my liver damaged? My kidneys? Did I have an intestinal obstruction? Was I suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm– the same thing that almost aced my Dad in 2004? Why was I in such pain? Why were my ears ringing (loudly)? Why was I always dizzy? Why couldn’t I eat without feeling like I wanted to vomit?
After massive blood work, an abdominal ultrasound and various other tests… Everything looked perfect. Not that I was complaining about the good news… But my questions and symptoms still remained with no explanation… Until Monday night after dinner– when my mouth exploded in pain.
I finally gave in and called the Dentist on Tuesday afternoon… All the time thinking, “Are you kidding me?! I have to get a toothache on top of all this shit?”
Then the answer became crystal clear: An old capped tooth (which had already been killed off by a root canal) had cracked underneath the cap… Just by a few micrometers… Which was just enough to allow the potent bacteria (that inhabits all our mouths– think about that next time you’re french kissing) to seep in and get redistributed through my entire bloodstream.
I hadn’t felt the crack or pain because 1) I brush my teeth regularly and 2) the aforementioned root canal had deadened the tooth. But now there was huge swelling near my right jaw (directly underneath the tooth) and massive pain– which overshadowed whatever was going on in my gut. The Dentist listened to my story over the phone and immediately ordered the strongest oral antibiotic that can be prescribed outside a hospital. I started taking it Tuesday night… And by Wednesday morning, the pain had gone from 1,001 (on a scale of 1 to 10) to a 4.
A quick trip to the dental office and one x-ray later, all was confirmed. Now there’s only minor jaw pain. No abdominal pain. Little swelling… And I finally get this tooth (which I have already sunk close to $2,000 USD into) yanked on February 9th– once the rest of the antibiotics are finished.
There I sat, literally thinking I was going to die (and I am not melodramatic)… Only to find the cause of quite possibly everything was one single tooth I had long since forgotten.
For those of you who deal with illness on a daily basis, I salute you. You are the true unsung heroes of this world. In truth, since I’ve been the legal guardian of a woman suffering from MS (and watched helplessly as she has continued to deteriorate)… I already knew you all were heroes.
I just wanted you to know that I know.
I first read Global Frequency a while ago… When it was first published as a Trade Paperback. And I don’t remember a damn thing about it. This is the point where the alarm bells should go off, with loyal IMJ Nation™ members screaming, “If you read this book and 
don’t remember a damn thing about it… Then it must not be that memorable… So Why in the HELL are you picking it as this week’s Hot Pick?!?”
Hey, I’m just being honest. That’s what we do here at Inveterate Media Junkies. I am inundated with Movies, TV Shows, Scripts, Books and Short Stories every day. So I actually like forgetting stuff. Makes it all the more enjoyable when I experience it again. (Now if I could only forget every damn frame of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull…)
What’s weirdest: I often don’t remember the details of things I really like. I think it’s because I am too busy enjoying it… Not sitting for hours dissecting why it sucks.
So, I don’t remember a damn thing about Global Frequency… Except the title and that I do know I really, really liked it. And by like it, I mean I thought it was absolutely one of the best things creator Warren Ellis had ever written. I also remember being really, really bummed when Fox decided not to pick up the Global Frequency TV Pilot.
So I bought the Vertigo Trade again. (The original book has long since been lost or “loaned” to one of my “friends”.) I strongly suggest you buy it too.
7 Miles A Second HC
Angora Napkin Volume 2 Harvest Of Revenge HC
Avengers Vs X-Men Consequences
Bad Medicine Vol 1
Batman The Dark Knight Golden Dawn – Own the Hardcover
Cape 1969 HC
Cave In
Creepy Archives Vol 15 HC - Recommended
Dark Avengers The End Is The Beginning
Daybreak – Own the Hardcover
Dear Beloved Stranger
Dragon Age Vol 2 Those Who Speak HC
Extermination Vol 1
Fantastic Four Reunited They Stand
Frank R. Paul The Dean Of Science Fiction Illustration HC
Freddie Stories HC
Global Frequency - Hot Pick of the Week!
Gutters Absolute Complete Omnibus Vol 3 HC
Iron Man By Joe Quesada
Irresistible – Not with your money!
Jihad HC
Justice League Vol 1 Origin – Own the Hardcover
Justice League Vol 2 The Villain’s Journey HC
Legend of Zelda Hyrule Historia HC
Legend Of Zelda Hyrule Historia HC (Limited Collector’s Edition)
Nick Carter Double Novel Volume 1
Planet Of The Apes Vol 4
Prince Valiant Volume 6 1947-1948 HC - Recommended
Robert Jordan’s The Eye Of The World Vol 3 HC
Roger Langridge’s Snarked Vol 3 - Recommended
Shadow Double Novel Volume 69
Star Wars Omnibus Infinities
Super Street Fighter Vol 1 New Generation
Tales Designed To Thrizzle Vol 2 HC – I buy this series for the title…
Transformers Complete Drift HC
Treasury Victorian Murder Compendium Vol 1
Ultimate Comics Divided We Fall United We Stand HC
X-9 Secret Agent Corrigan Vol 5 HC
X-Men By Brian Wood Vol 1 Blank Generation
X-Men Mutant Massacre (New Print)
X-Women – I bought this book again too…
Beautiful Creatures HC - Manga Pick of the Week!
Bloody Monday Vol 9
Limit Vol 3
Wallflower Vol 29
We got the most ridiculous email the other day.
And while I usually forward 99.999999% of all emails the IMJ Inbox receives to Jose, I just deleted this one the second I finished reading it.
Why? Because this mook was lambasting IMJ for “going soft.” Seems our recent IMJ Capsule Reviews™ comic book review column (1.16.13) didn’t sit well with the guy… Because we were “…too positive…” about the comics we reviewed that week. Apparently this irate reader is certain all the positivity was absolute proof we had sold out to the comic book publishers… And we were now reviewing comics in a better light because of it.
There’s more than a few problems with this assumption– the most prominent ones being, 1) IMJ doesn’t display any advertising and 2) We have never received a FREE comic book, trade, hardcover or product in our lives… Except as promotional/giveaway items from actual Comic Book SHOPS.
We’re used to having idiots call us Marvel Haters or DC Haters. (Take your pick– the hate emails come in fast and furious whenever we knock almost anything in our review columns or a podcast.) And it doesn’t matter that we have spread our like/dislike evenly amongst every major publisher. (Don’t believe me? I counted up the “stars” doled out for every single review we’ve published from the beginning of the IMJ Capsule Reviews™ column until early November 2012 and saw the proof for myself. You can too… The truth doesn’t lie.)
Make no mistake about it: There may very well be a day when Inveterate Media Junkies displays advertising. (We’ve already received several bona fide offers.) When we do, you can rest assured that our editorial focus– providing honest exchanges and points of view– will never change… Regardless of what a few dipshits might think.
And anyway, what’s wrong with liking comics? If all you’re here for is doom and gloom… I guarantee you’re going to be disappointed.
Batman Dark Knight Archives Vol 8 HC
Books Of Magic Deluxe Edition HC - Never read it before…
Complete Crumb Comics Vol 3 Starring Fritz The Cat
Crow Midnight Legends Vol 3 Wild Justice
Culling Rise Of The Ravagers
Dan The Unharmable Vol 1
Deva Zan HC (Novel)
Eerie Archives Vol 12 HC - Recommended
Frank Cho Women Book 2 HC - Recommended
Gambit Classic Vol 2
Golden Age Of DC Comics 1935-1956 HC
Green Arrow Vol 2 Triple Threat
Heavy Metal The Movie Expanded Edition SC
Kolchak Papers Grave Secrets Novel SC
Love & Rockets Dicks & Deedees HC - Recommended
Mad Artist Edition HC
MMW Doctor Strange Vol 2 SC
Secret Avengers By Rick Remender Vol 1 – Own the Hardcover
Simpsons Comics Supernova
Sonic Universe Vol 4 Journey To The East
Spawn Origins Vol 17
Spider Vol 1 Terror of the Zombie Queen
Transformers Regeneration Vol 1
Ultimate Comics The Ultimates By Jonathan Hickman Vol 2 – Own it
Ultimate Comics X-Men By Nick Spencer Vol 2 – Own the Hardcover
Wolverine and The X-Men Alpha And Omega – Own the Hardcover
Wolverine Sabretooth Reborn HC
Black Butler Vol 12
Black God Vol 18
Book Girl And The Undine Who Bore A Moonflower Novel Vol 6
Bride’s Story Vol 4 HC - Manga Pick of the Week!
Disappearance Of Nagato Yuki-Chan Vol 3
Flowers Of Evil Vol 4
Soul Eater Vol 12
I’ve never responded well to anything smacking of Political Correctness. I’m not big on censorship of any kind. I think people are far too sensitive nowadays and many who claim to be offended, really aren’t. They may think they are, but if they took a moment to dissect how or why they really felt the way they do– they might dial down their contempt/disgust a notch or two. That said, almost anything Howard Chaykin 
has ever created outside the auspices of the Big Two Comic Book publishers pushes the Politically Correct boundaries. And I like that. It’s called having balls… And more comic book creators could do with owning a pair.
Balls is why I attempt to read everything Chaykin creates… And Marked Man (a hardcover collection first serialized in the latest incarnation of the Dark Horse Presents comic) is the epitome of Howard Chaykin at his best. While most artists with his number of years in the comic industry have drifted off to the more lucrative worlds of advertising, licensing and animation– Chaykin steadfastly produces a few comic book projects a year while juggling his other commitments. And unlike his peers, Chaykin has embraced the new computer techniques (especially the advances made in computer coloring) and turned them to his advantage– quite possibly turning out the best work of his entire career.
Chaykin has been hip-deep in what a call “Flippant Mickey Spillane” storytelling for the last few years… And Marked Man is a prime example of his side genre. The main character is a very talented gun-for-hire and a complete louse. His home life is a joke– he has a love/hate relationship with his wife (which includes angry sex) and his partner in crime is a professional stripper. (Anything sound politically correct here yet?)
I’m not going to tell you the story… Other than to say it is fun, in-your-face and well worth the $14.99 price. ($14.99 for a FULL COLOR hardcover? What’s wrong with Dark Horse? Marvel would’ve charged $24.99 for the same book!) I liked the story so much, even after reading the first four installments in Dark Horse Presents (and owning all the other issues the story appeared in)– I still purchased the hardcover.
There’s crassness, some bare breasts and poor behavior throughout. If that kind of stuff turns you off, then pass on Marked Man. But if you want to read an intriguing contemporary noir action/mystery that could easily be turned into a film (but doesn’t– for one second– act like it was written for that express purpose)… Then, by all means, go for it.
Glad to hear they figured things out Ian, good thing your doctors weren’t listening to my advice, you might still be in trouble.
Funny thing is, I am suppose to get a crown done next week, and after hearing about your situation, it sounds like just having the tooth removed might be a better option for me!
It is a bit surprising that people that claim they read the capsule reviews don’t see that you guys don’t pick sides, but I guess that is just the nature of the internet anymore, everyone has to find a reason to be mad about something.
Thanks, IM.
What was weird, I remember feeling some pangs with the tooth back as early November. But I would brush my teeth with Sensodyne toothpaste and gargle with Colgate Peroxyl and the pangs would disappear for weeks. The pain was never that bad until Monday night.
Meanwhile, the tooth was cracking and allowing more bacteria to seep into my bloodstream. The really extreme cold I developed just amplified everything by 100%… Then when it was over, my system was such a mess nobody knew what was happening. (Least of all myself.)
But the tooth put it all on the table. The bacteria was attacking my abdomen/intestines.
Thank goodness I started taking the antibiotics. I rarely get sick at all (if I do, it is usually easily handled)… So I have never taken that many antibiotics… Which I am sure helped.
Per your tooth… It depends on where it is. I do know that it is best to get a cap (even after what I went through) because pulling the tooth WILL cause all your other teeth to shift. It also makes for an uneasy feeling when there is still a tooth above or below it… As the remaining tooth has nothing to strike against when you chew or close your jaw.
I have already been told that my upper tooth (which will no longer have anything to strike against) will eventually elongate and will have to be pulled as well. I am have one plus: The tooth is all the way in the back– so the damage will be minimalized when it is pulled– and there will be less cosmetic effect too.
Plus, I chew hard and have been know to grind my teeth at night (stress). A lot of people never experience problems with a cap. They may have to get it replaced at some point many years later… But they don’t destroy their teeth like I am slowing doing. And if it is just a cap (and not a root canal tooth like mine was– which deadens the tooth and makes it brittle over time), the tooth underneath the cap should stay healthy and cause little problems for you.
That’s pretty funny that somebody thinks you two “sold out to the man”. As opposed to the anus-licking reviews on CBR and newsarama, with their five star ratings of Superior Spider-Man. Crazy banana pants, as Mr. Slott would say.
If we’re selling out then I’m sending invoices with my reviews and columns in future!
Its amazing what people will email in and say, are we meant to mercilessly slag off a book that we actually like?
LM, I have some drachmas I could lay on you.
And yes, according to this Dweeb– we apparently are supposed to hate everything we read if we want to be “serious” critics.
Global Frequency rules!
I know you guys don’t want the site to turn too negative, but I think it might be kinda fun to maybe do a column featuring some of the wacky emails you get.Just for giggles…
Heavy Metal The Movie Expanded, is that a book about the making of the film or is it an adaptation of the stories?
Glad someone agrees with my old memories, Ed.
I don’t think either Jose or I care if the site turns “negative”– as long as there are VALID reasons for the negativity.
Per the Heavy Metal book… I have no friggin’ idea. Sorry about that!
I kinda like it when the Marvel and DC zombies post here. I enjoy a good Internet brawl.
Bah, just got around to reading this post. Late much? Anyways, I just have to say, as soon as you said that there was someone said you went “soft” I knew which review week that was. I was actually shocked that the majority of the books that week got pretty good reviews. I just want to say, I thought it was quite refreshing seeing you guys pick up books that you liked as opposed to a lot of columns where it seems that nothing good came out that week. Because of the community here, I definitely trust the reviews that everyone gives and the ratings that a book recieves. If I see a shinning 4 or 5 star review, there is a good chance that I am going go give that book a try.
Anyways, hope you are feeling better Ian. And what no “This weeks POS” how soft you guys must be getting