magicofreading-summer08
The Amazing
Mr. J ON
Overheard a really young child, whispering to his friend, as I walked on stage for a recent magic show: "That guy's a real magician! And he's LITERALLY got a magic wand!" (!) (Bravo on using the word 'literally' correctly! Santa was in this audience too- I'm sure he was also pleased!) :)
What's your personal career highlight? The annual Festival of Trees in St. Peter's, Cape Breton this weekend is up there...fun people, first class hospitality (they gave me pancakes!), and best of all, Mr. J's Magic Show got to OPEN for SANTA!!!! (That's as big as it gets!!!!) :)
Larger than comics, larger than LIFE...STAN LEE used the Power of his legacy, to uphold his Responsibility, to be a force for positivity in this world. Just like his creation, Spider-Man. And y'know, Pilgrim, we all need more joy and kindness, especially today. Stan's unflappable optimism helped 'The Man' live to 95...and for his Marvelous characters to live forever! Now it's up to all of us, True Believers...to carry on his spirit!! Through his characters, and his personal example, he taught me (and many, many others) to read, to dream, to laugh, to empathize, to seek knowledge, to aspire, and to do the right thing. He taught us it's always better to be a hero, than a villain. And he gave us so many amazing fantasies along the way. To share a personal story of connection with you, during my extremely fortunate 8 (!) different meetings with Stan over the years, I have been lucky enough to perform magic for him, to sit and have a drink with him, to ask him questions about his childhood, and favourite music, and even to present him with a Spider-Man balloon. You'll be happy to hear he's every bit as genuine and fun in person as you could hope him to be. My loving Mom made me a Spidey suit as a kid, while Dad bought me Stan Lee's comics every month to my excited and eternal gratitude. Years later, thanks to all this, yours truly climbed down one of Halifax's tallest buildings in red-and-blue Spidey tights, for charity! Will always remember saying to him in person: "You're the Man, Stan." His immediate response, with a twinkle in his eye, was: "You're right!" (Classic!) In 2016, for his final Canadian appearance, my arm was around him tightly, when I got to say during our last encounter: "I love you, Stan Lee." Again, with the joyous smile of a man who has lived a full life, he replied with the purest kindness in his voice: "Thanks! It's great to be loved." One last quote of inspiration, from the greatest legend in comics history: "Entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel if you're able to entertain people, you're doing a good thing." -Stan Lee (1922-2018...though he will never really leave us). Let's all raise a Merry Marvel Magic glass to the life of a true super-hero! "Face Front Forever...and Excelsior...into Eternity!" <3
If you love 'Back to the Future', and were wondering about Mr. J's experience making balloons and magic at the recent cast reunion with Michael J. Fox, here's a feature article in this week's Daily News! More pictures to follow on this page! :) www.trurodaily.com/living/truro-area-man-meets-back-to-the-future-cast-members-257943/
Truro-area man meets Back to the Future cast members | Truro News
trurodaily.com
TRURO, N.S. Some say meeting your “heroes” never lives up to the billing. Dave Johnston will tell you otherwise. Johnston, who lives in North River, recently attended Fan Expo Canada, in Toronto, ...Would you love your youngsters to take a break from addictive electronic gizmos, and to experience 'The Magic of Reading?' Dartmouth based Grandway Comics are creating the most kid-friendly, entertaining for all ages new comics I've personally ever seen, (since being a kid myself!) As you can imagine, since comics helped teach many of us to read, promoting literacy with 'The Magic Reading Shows' in schools throughout Maritime schools/libraries, and offering comics as prizes, is a personal passion. Naturally, the marriage of words and pictures stimulates imagination too, and it was an honour to congratulate Grandway Comics on their recent big launch! Brilliant Nova Scotian talents Derek Jessome, Jeff Knott, and the team have old-school, high quality, clean fun for all-ages in mind...so I hope to share some of their creations at upcoming magic shows! In the meantime, your friendly-neighbourhood local comic stores (Strange Adventures, and others, or at grandwaycomics.com) can show you their three current titles. Space Cowboy! Wild Girl! And many more characters, suitable for boys, girls, and you adults who love the pure fun, old-fashioned storytelling of your childhood. Will these also become the next big thing in toys and cartoons? Hey, would love to see it! (Check out the prototype toy pics! And their wild, way-out promo video, attached!) In the meantime, you can enjoy some wholesome, and wholly engaging, entertainment on the printed page. Go Go Grandway Comics! Give 'em a chance, and Mr. J guarantees you and your kids will love 'em too! Thank you for celebrating 'The Magic of Reading!'
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp0iiVKQo-I
Recent Halifax Herald profile: www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/new-comic-book-company-born-in-dartmouth-253703/
#grandway #magic #reading #comics #literacy #art #comicbooks #bestcomicsever
The Amazing
Mr. J ON
FREE
GIANT magic wand
for you!
Have them Email an address, and you'll get your FREE giant wand in the mail! EASY! (PLUS a FREE secret BONUS PRIZE for you too!)