That's terrible, Philip. I really feel for you. I wish there was something I could do.
Luke Blanchard > Philip PortelliJanuary 2, 2026 at 8:36pm
God give you all strength.
Eric L. Sofer > Philip PortelliJanuary 6, 2026 at 9:36am
Phillip, my sincere sympathies are with you at this time. I cannot imagine the agony you are suffering, and misinformation by the doctors is only making it worse. I wish you a quick resolution to this situation, and peace and painlessness to your mother.
Comics and Opera Dept .: one of the better-known 20th century operas is The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček. (Wikipedia says the Czech title translates as Tales of Vixen Sharp-Ears.) This was based on an illustrated Czech newspaper serial, Vixen Sharp-Ears. It wasn't a comic strip exactly, but it's comparable. The artist was Stanislav Lolek. Lambiek's page on Lolek has images. (Adult images elsewhere at site.)
Yesterday I found myself sitting in a waiting room. In addition to the usual waiting room magazine fare was a copy of LIFE magazine dated November 29, 1963, just a week after JFK was assassinated. I began reading the editorial, "The President's Empty Chair", and was immediately struck by the many points of comparision to the current occupant of the White House: his handshake, his tan, his attire, his relationship with the press, his preferred decor (including the Rose Garden), how he spends his leisure time, his general strength of character... even throwing things against the wall in anger and frustration. Because this wasn't a doctor's waiting room, I didn't have time to finish reading the editorial, but luckily it is readily available online.
I've been thinking of reading some poetry, and I thought there might be some good long stuff by authors I've never heard of (I'm disinclined to believe only the most famous writers are any good) so I asked Google AI
>what is a good seventeenth or eighteenth century poem to read if you like american superhero comics, 1960s james bond movies, alistair maclean-style 1970s thrillers, h. rider haggard, jane austin, a. merritt, and charles dickens
Here is the answer:
>Based on your interest in high-stakes action, witty banter, romantic adventure, and theatrical drama, here are the best seventeenth and eighteenth-century poems to read:
The "1960s Bond/Action" Choice: The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope (1714)
If you enjoy 1960s James Bond movies (high-stakes action, stylish antagonists, and witty dialogue), this is the quintessential choice. While it is a satire, it is written as a mock-heroic epic.
Why it fits: It features a "supernatural" element (a host of Sylphs protecting the heroine), a high-stakes "mission" (stealing a lock of hair), and theatrical battles that mimic the over-the-top drama of a thriller.
Style: Witty, fast-paced, action-oriented, and highly polished heroic couplets.
The "H. Rider Haggard/A. Merritt" Choice: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)
Though published at the very end of the 18th century, this poem perfectly captures the exotic adventure, supernatural mystery, and psychological terror found in Haggard and Merritt.
Why it fits: It features a thrilling, cursed ocean voyage, supernatural forces (ghost ships, spirits), and gripping storytelling.
Style: Dramatic, atmospheric, and fast-paced narrative.
The "Alistair MacLean/Thriller" Choice: Annus Mirabilis by John Dryden (1667)
If you like the high-stakes, action-heavy thrillers of Alistair MacLean (e.g., The Guns of Navarone), this poem is an excellent match.
Why it fits: It is an action-packed account of the "Year of Wonders"—chronicling the 1666 naval war with the Dutch and the Great Fire of London. It treats historical events like a disaster/adventure blockbuster.
Style: Dramatic, urgent, and focused on heroism and survival.
The "Jane Austen/Dickens" Choice: The Rape of the Lock (Again) or The Deserted Village by Oliver Goldsmith (1770)
For the wit and social observation of Jane Austen, Pope's The Rape of the Lock is again the best choice, as it highlights the absurdity of 18th-century social elite drama.
For the emotional, descriptive, and Dickensian feel of social change, The Deserted Village provides poignant, evocative descriptions of life and ruin.
The "Superhero/Adventure" Choice: Hudibras by Samuel Butler (1663–1678)
If you like the chaotic, adventurous, and often ridiculous side of comics, this satire is fantastic.
Why it fits: It follows a knight-errant (a parody of Don Quixote) and his squire on absurd adventures, filled with witty banter and physical fighting.
Style: Satirical, fast-paced, and humorous.
Summary Recommendation: Start with Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock for the perfect blend of superhero-like supernatural agency and Bond-style social drama.
Replies
That's terrible, Philip. I really feel for you. I wish there was something I could do.
God give you all strength.
Phillip, my sincere sympathies are with you at this time. I cannot imagine the agony you are suffering, and misinformation by the doctors is only making it worse. I wish you a quick resolution to this situation, and peace and painlessness to your mother.
Oh no, Phillip. That's horrifying. I'm so sorry this is happening to you all, and I hope your mother finds peace soon.
Comics and Opera Dept .: one of the better-known 20th century operas is The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček. (Wikipedia says the Czech title translates as Tales of Vixen Sharp-Ears.) This was based on an illustrated Czech newspaper serial, Vixen Sharp-Ears. It wasn't a comic strip exactly, but it's comparable. The artist was Stanislav Lolek. Lambiek's page on Lolek has images. (Adult images elsewhere at site.)
Yesterday I found myself sitting in a waiting room. In addition to the usual waiting room magazine fare was a copy of LIFE magazine dated November 29, 1963, just a week after JFK was assassinated. I began reading the editorial, "The President's Empty Chair", and was immediately struck by the many points of comparision to the current occupant of the White House: his handshake, his tan, his attire, his relationship with the press, his preferred decor (including the Rose Garden), how he spends his leisure time, his general strength of character... even throwing things against the wall in anger and frustration. Because this wasn't a doctor's waiting room, I didn't have time to finish reading the editorial, but luckily it is readily available online.
Coming up at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans:
Comics in World War II: Propaganda, Patriotism, and Pop Culture
Illustrating Freedom: Norman Rockwell and the American Ideal
from LINK
I've been thinking of reading some poetry, and I thought there might be some good long stuff by authors I've never heard of (I'm disinclined to believe only the most famous writers are any good) so I asked Google AI
>what is a good seventeenth or eighteenth century poem to read if you like american superhero comics, 1960s james bond movies, alistair maclean-style 1970s thrillers, h. rider haggard, jane austin, a. merritt, and charles dickens
Here is the answer:
>Based on your interest in high-stakes action, witty banter, romantic adventure, and theatrical drama, here are the best seventeenth and eighteenth-century poems to read:
If you enjoy 1960s James Bond movies (high-stakes action, stylish antagonists, and witty dialogue), this is the quintessential choice. While it is a satire, it is written as a mock-heroic epic.
Why it fits: It features a "supernatural" element (a host of Sylphs protecting the heroine), a high-stakes "mission" (stealing a lock of hair), and theatrical battles that mimic the over-the-top drama of a thriller.
Style: Witty, fast-paced, action-oriented, and highly polished heroic couplets.
Though published at the very end of the 18th century, this poem perfectly captures the exotic adventure, supernatural mystery, and psychological terror found in Haggard and Merritt.
Why it fits: It features a thrilling, cursed ocean voyage, supernatural forces (ghost ships, spirits), and gripping storytelling.
Style: Dramatic, atmospheric, and fast-paced narrative.
If you like the high-stakes, action-heavy thrillers of Alistair MacLean (e.g., The Guns of Navarone), this poem is an excellent match.
Why it fits: It is an action-packed account of the "Year of Wonders"—chronicling the 1666 naval war with the Dutch and the Great Fire of London. It treats historical events like a disaster/adventure blockbuster.
Style: Dramatic, urgent, and focused on heroism and survival.
For the wit and social observation of Jane Austen, Pope's The Rape of the Lock is again the best choice, as it highlights the absurdity of 18th-century social elite drama.
For the emotional, descriptive, and Dickensian feel of social change, The Deserted Village provides poignant, evocative descriptions of life and ruin.
If you like the chaotic, adventurous, and often ridiculous side of comics, this satire is fantastic.
Why it fits: It follows a knight-errant (a parody of Don Quixote) and his squire on absurd adventures, filled with witty banter and physical fighting.
Style: Satirical, fast-paced, and humorous.
Summary Recommendation: Start with Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock for the perfect blend of superhero-like supernatural agency and Bond-style social drama.
Interesting.
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