deerstalker

Writer: James Tynion IV / Artist: Daniel Sampere / DC Comics

The Shadow Pact, Part 1

In a post-Metal DC Universe, we have gotten to spend a lot more time with Detective Chimp, and I continue to be here for it. Between Tynion’s somber, distant narration and Sampere’s haunting artwork, Justice League Dark #5 serves as a not-so-gentle reminder about how tragic Detective Chimp is. There is a lingering sense of self-deprecation, discussions of drinking problems, and the sad realities of losing a friend. The opening pages act as a bridge between the sacrifice Night Master made during Metal and Detective Chimp’s current predicament and strangely enough makes for an excellent jumping on point after the intense The Witching Hour crossover event.

The crew of the Justice League Dark is still reeling from the several concurrent apocalypses that is currently plaguing the universe. As various characters are planning their next moves, Detective Chimp is doing the very human action of ‘trying to cope as best he can when the world is literally falling apart.’ Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and Man-Bat have come to enlist Detective Chimp’s help in finding a way to Myrra to find a way to defeat the looming threat of the Otherkind, but he is reluctant to wield the Sword of Night although he doesn’t have too much say in the matter. Meanwhile, John Constantine and Swamp Thing are investigating the Tree of Wonder, and Tynion masterfully balances the multiple narratives. You can hear each character’s voice seep through the dialog and get raw emotion in each speech bubble. This is only bolstered by Sampere’s wonderfully enchanting artwork that continues Justice League Dark’s proud tradition of instilling a sense of awe with the unique depiction of magic.

Yet, the start of The Shadow Pact is less eldritch horror, and more personal demons. Whereas the last couple of issues have been exceeding high fantasy with world-ending spells at the ready, the journey into Myrra feels more subdued, although no less dark. This arc looks like it will be a chilling examination of Detective Chimp as the rest of the Justice League Dark continues to try and preserve the magic of the DC universe. Although Tynion and Sampere seem to be imparting magic every issue, I think everything will be fine.

8.7 “Broken Pacts” out of 10

Reading Justice League Dark? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.

Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook,Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube and Google+?

The post Justice League Dark #5 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

I have tried several nerd boxes on my search for the one that sends items I can love each month. Unfortunately, each new box subscription comes with about 5 items, of which only one or two are items I truly like. The rest I give away, toss on e-Bay, or just leave on the shelf because there’s not much else to do with it. I must say that the DeonteBox is not one of those boxes.

Full disclosure, the owner of DeonteBox, Wayne Smith Jr. let me try out the service for free. I got one box that he filled with items from my favorite fandoms, movies, shows, and connected to my favorite hobbies. He wanted me to see what the service could do for a fan. Boy, did he deliver!

I told him that I loved American Gods, DC Comics, Fraggle Rock, Dark Crystal, Gremlins, books, and writing. He also gathered a bit more information and set about locating items for my box. I expected maybe a cool item or two and the rest POP figures that would take up space on my shelf. What I got was the greatest fan box ever. If my current geek box wasn’t a prepaid gift, I’d cancel it today and replace it with Smith’s box.

The DeonteBox is white with gold lettering — a festive package that piques the interest right away. I opened it to find golden stuffing and items carefully wrapped in crepe paper. Each a present waiting to be opened. Here is some rough video of the unboxing where I find the best part of the box so far.

You can hear my excitement (and see my two-year-old grabbing for all that gold foil). Here is my haul:

• A reprinted signed script from an episode of American Gods
• A Gremlins themed journal
• A Fraggle POP figure
• A Harley Quinn and Joker figure set
• A novelization of Dark Crystal

All of these items are favorites of mine forever. None of them have been given away (I actually gave a hostile “NOOO!” to my husband when he attempted to us the Gremlins journal for the grocery list). My daughter Quinn recognizes her namesake anywhere, but mommy has made it clear that this one is off-limits.

I highly recommend DeonteBox to anyone who has a nerd in the family. We are notoriously hard to buy for, so this box is the perfect gift. Smith searches far and wide for the gifts that you just won’t find on store shelves. The tailored service makes the box even more valuable because every item is something the subscriber will hold dear.

You can purchase a subscription or get a one-off box. Whatever you decide, I urge you to give this Black owned businessman your dollars this season. His concierge style of subscription boxes needs to catch on. If not anything else, DeonteBox can eliminate these mediocre boxes flooding the market and force them all to step their game up.

Get your box by emailing the company directly for info at deontepro@gmail.com, or visiting their Facebook page.

The post BGN Opinion: The DeonteBox is the Perfect Subscription Box for a Nerd appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Writer: Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza / Artist: Travis Moore, Patch Zircher / DC Comics

Badge of Honor

There was a time where a title like We Are Nightwing would have gotten me so pumped. The We Are Robin mini-series was one of the most necessary stories DC Comics had produced in the last decade and featured a diverse cast of misfits taking up the bright colors of Robin trying to do right by their city. Of course, We Are Nightwing is narratively similar: folks have taken up Nightwing’s costumes in our hero’s absence. The key difference here is that they are all cops using the costume to enact rogue vigilante justice and barely sympathetic motivations considering they only got their gear by looting the original Nightwing’s hideout. Ric Grayson ponders these exact questions on the front page as we get the rundown for the fourth time: Ric used to be Dick before he was shot in the head and in his absence, Blüdhaven is having a rough go.

Lobdell’s plot continues to move in a very slow, deliberate pace. Every small revelation in previous issues is given slightly more context over the course of several pages, rehashing various narratives beats again and again. Nicieza’s script features interesting moments and quips of dialog but leans towards being very exposition heavy and indulges in some naval-gazing. The fact of the matter is that while Ric Grayson has seen a lot over the events of Knight Terrors he hasn’t changed at all, at least not meaningful. He is still the rugged anti-hero with amnesia living out film noir sequence after film noir sequence as a fake Nightwing takes to the street in a suit with semi-automatic weapons. What was once a somewhat interesting thought experiment has continued to drag on, and we don’t have any of the typical attributes associated with Nightwing: charm, wit, compassion. Instead, we have a caustic not-hero who is slowly learning how to care about other people while stuff happens around him.

Moore’s and Zircher’s artwork continue to delight, with dynamic action shots and wonderful panel work, but the colorful depiction of Blüdhaven is the most lively thing about the issue. I want to know how this all ends, but it seems like the machination are still getting into gear.

6.8 “’Dark’ Legacies” out of 10

Reading Nightwing? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.

Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook,Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube and Google+?

The post Nightwing #53 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age rose from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.5 percent in 2014. A 2016 Harris Poll conducted for the Calorie Control Council revealed 20 percent of U.S. consumers reported having been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes by a medical professional.

With November being National Diabetes Month, Karima Kendall, Ph.D., RDN, LDN of the Calorie Control Council (CCC), has outlined five tips for managing this disease impacting an increasing number of people.

1. Manage stress

Too much stress is unhealthy for anyone, especially for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In addition to stress causing people to forget or not have time to check blood sugar levels or plan healthy meals, stress hormones can directly alter blood sugar levels. Making an effort to reduce stress by implementing tactics such as fitness classes, breathing exercises, and other relaxing hobbies will only help in diabetes management.

2. Get up and move at least 30 minutes a day

Exercise helps increase insulin sensitivity. This means the cells in your muscles are better able to use any available insulin to take up glucose during and after physical activity. In addition to helping lower blood glucose in the short term, exercise on a consistent, regular basis can lower your A1C. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day. Be mindful, however, that low blood sugars can occur during and up to 24 hours after physical activity, and are more likely to occur if you take insulin, skip meals, or exercise intensely or for a long period of time.

3. Take advantage of low- and no-calorie sweeteners

Dealing with diabetes on a daily basis is hard enough without having to give up the sweet treats you enjoy. There are several low- and no-calorie sweeteners available that are safe to consume and provide the same sweetness as sugar, but without impacting blood glucose levels. In addition to being found in packaged foods and beverages, many of these sweeteners can be purchased at the grocery store and serve as stand-alone sweeteners for use in your own recipes. Given the holiday treats enjoyed this time of year at seasonal gatherings, these sweeteners can help you have your sweet frozen hot chocolate – and drink it too! For more information on low- and no-calorie sweeteners and diabetes, including carb-smart recipes, visit here.

4. Ward off sickness

Physical stress, such as illness or injury, causes higher blood glucose levels in people living with diabetes. With cold and flu season upon us, make sure to get your flu shot, eat well, and wash your hands frequently. In addition, talk to your doctor about adjustments you may need to make to your personal diabetes management routine and insulin dosing (if appropriate) in the event you get sick.

5. Remember, don’t let ‘perfect’ be the enemy of ‘good’

Although there are differences in the management of type 1 versus type 2 diabetes, maintaining a perfect blood sugar 100 percent of the time is simply not possible, no matter how closely you monitor and manage your diabetes. Even those without diabetes experience moderate spikes and lows in their blood sugar levels. Instead, focus on living a balanced lifestyle full of things that motivate you, instead of letting occasional bad blood sugar levels discourage you. You control your diabetes – not the other way around!

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Calorie Control Council from November 16-18, 2016 among 2,074 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Stan Samples at the Calorie Control Council, ssamples@caloriecontrol.org and 678-303-2996.

The post 5 Tips for Managing Diabetes during National Diabetes Month appeared first on Black Enterprise.