From a newspaper called “The Scotsman”:

Arms race fear over new bomb

by JOHN INNES

US SCIENTISTS are working on a space-age weapon that experts fear could trigger a new arms race, it was claimed last night.

The gamma ray bomb blurs the line between conventional and nuclear explosives. It produces an enormous burst of energy from atoms without involving nuclear fission or fusion.

Just one gram of the explosive could store more energy than 50 kilograms of TNT.

A gamma bomb would produce little fall-out compared with a normal nuclear weapon, although undetonated particles could cause long-term health problems for anyone breathing them in.

Despite the fact that research is at an early stage and a practical weapon may not be built for many years, some experts are already worried.

Dr Andre Gsponer, the director of the Independent Scientific Research Institute in Geneva, believes countries without such weapons would not be able to fight ones that possessed them.

The result could be a arms race – or, worse, a decision to resort to nuclear weapons, he claims.

Third issue of the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is out this week. One more issue and then #5 starts the original stories, albeit still drawn in the style of the animated series.

So whad’ja think?

PAD

Out this week. Whad’ja think?

Consider it support for the First Amendment– or, if you prefer, a minor blow against frivolous lawsuits against litigious corporations. Al, you’re fair, you’re balanced, and gosh-darn it, people like you. Would we tell people to go buy the book if we didn’t like you? (Inspired by Atrios.)

Forty five people in Europe have died in a heatwave. Ascribing it to the work of terrorists, the White House is currently exploring the feasibility of sending US troops to the Sun.

PAD

Although I’ve been repeatedly saying for months that “Fallen Angel” is for mature readers, some people seem not to be twigging to that. So I will reiterate: “Fallen Angel” is a series with strong language, explicit violence, and sexual content. Not as strong or explicit as a Vertigo title, but moreso than a standard DCU title. Issue #2 is no exception, and contains some dialogue and visuals of a sexual nature. The book was already available as part of the first look package, and retailers who operate in neighborhoods where the faint-of-heart reside should check it over and rack-and-sell it accordingly.

PAD

TONG LASHING, the latest adventure of “Sir Apropos of Nothing” should be out in the stores about now. For those unfamiliar with this go-around, here’s the cover copy (written by yours truly):

He’s back. Sir Apropos of Nothing, the best reviewed anti-hero in modern fantasy makes his triumphant return and gets a severe “Tong Lashing” for his troubles.

Yes, the hero who reviewers have described as “Swiftian,” “Schopenhauerian,” “Cyclopian,” and many other big words, has survived the events in his previous outing, The Woad to Wuin, events that would have killed a lesser man. Which is impressive considering it’s hard to find a lesser man than Apropos: A con man, a knave, a scalawag…and those are his finer points.

This time out, Apropos finds himself out to sea…literally. Yes, our rogue knight winds up adrift in hostile waters after a “friendly” game of chance with a wizard turns ludicrously deadly. But once again Death is thwarted (or perhaps it simply wants nothing to do with him) as Apropos winds up a stranger in a strange land. A land called “Chinpan,” populated by people who speak a different language and live by a code of honor, neither of which Apropos can comprehend.

And yet in Chinpan, Apropos slowly begins to examine his life and question whether he can aspire to true greatness. To become more than the hard-bitten cynic he’s always been. He may yet be able to find a happy ending among a gentle people who are willing to accept him, faults and all. And he acquires a teacher who may even be able to set him on a road to true enlightenment.

But events conspire to pull Apropos in unexpected and dangerous directions. For his presence in Chinpan does not go unnoticed. What does the mysterious criminal organization known as the Forked Tong want with him? How do their plans tie in or conflict with the criminal Skang Kei family, and their enigmatic leader, Skang Kei Ho? What of the Mingol hordes? And what will be the fate of the Chin clan, including Double Chin, Cleft Chin, Kit Chin, and little Kit Chinette?

By turns hilarious and tragic, Tong Lashing leaves no signature moment of adventure unpummeled. Mysterious shadow warriors, demented rulers, martial arts lessons, ritual suicide…all that fun stuff and much more in this, the latest (and last?) adventure of Sir Apropos of Nothing.

PAD