mdmrn

mdmrn, 4 months ago to VideoGames

Outfit of the Day - Heading to @magfest, my first nerdy convention since...I think Otakon 2004 or Genericon in 2005.

My oldest and my BILs / SIL are coming too.

Hope to have fun and bring some old Dad gamer energy.

Or be weird and socially anxious.

Either way.

#VideoGames #OOTD #OutfitOfTheDay #Nintendo #TShirt #Gameboy

mdmrn, 4 months ago to MashleMagicandMuscles

My 14 year old and a friend decided they were going to make buttons to hand out / sell to friends at school. I told them, "If you're making one, I have a very specific one I want."

I sent a pic from the recent Mashle special chapter of Mash himself being awesome.

Here's the tiny pin they made for me.

Love it.

#Mashle #MashleMagicAndMuscles #Pin #Button #Manga #Parenting

mdmrn, 7 months ago to manga

New #manga pickup.

Executive summary: Alternate universe where Batman is turned into a baby and is raised by the Joker.

Yes, this was a real thing. 3 volumes exist.

Picked up volume one on a lark today. We will see how this goes!

---

🏷 Tags: #Kodansha #DCComics #Batman #Joker #OneOperationJoker

mdmrn, 11 months ago to random

So, this is 40.

I am a 40 year old geeky Dad.

Woo.

Tags: #Selfie #Photograph #Birthday #TShirt #OOTD

mdmrn, 14 days ago to Cats

Why, it's Caturday again. Here are our kitties.

Havr a great one.

#Caturday #Cats #CatsOfInstagram #Meow #Photography #Photograph #Photo #Kitty #AnimalPhotography #CaturdayEveryday #Pets #Pet #CatsOfMastodon #CatsOfPixelfed #CatsOfFediverse

A pretty calico cat laying about one brown couch with eyes half open.

mdmrn, 7 months ago to manga

Okay, so when I posted up the picture of this first volume, the response was very much "What in the world is this." Let's be real, that was my thought on it too. But, now I've read it. So, let's discuss.

Basic premise - The Joker sets off something that accidentally turns Batman into a baby. The Joker then has the realization that without the Bat, he is incomplete and his crimes are pointless. So, decides to raise the baby Batman into the best Batman he can be.

There is no depth beyond that here. It takes that concept, puts The Joker into situations parents get into on the regular to comedic effect. It's a goofy manga through and through; I for one am here for that. Seeing The Joker complain about child care options in Gotham, changing diapers, or telling Harley to be gentle with a baby is hilarious on its own.

Already pre-ordered Volume 2, we'll see if it came keep this same level of humor throughout this 3 volume series.

---

Tags: #Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #Joker #Batman #DCComics #OneOperationJoker #KeisukeGotou #SatoshiMiyagawa

Photograph of the inside of One Operation Joker, Volume 1. Black and white image showing the Joker leaning over a baby to change a diaper. He is holding a knife threateningly over the baby and saying, "Time to change your diaper." The baby has a blanket that looks like Batman's cowl.
Photograph of the inside of One Operation Joker, Volume 1. Black and white image showing The Joker is looking up to the sky screaming and saying, "I can't get into nursery school!"
Photograph of an aggressively white man holding a copy of One Operation Joker, Volume 1 under his nose. The cover names the manga and has an image of The Joker from DC Comics holding a baby wrapped in a blanket with a Batman style cowl.

mdmrn, 3 months ago to plushies

Most People: Oh, I have a bunch of points at a fast food location, maybe I can get myself some free food.

Me: I'm getting the Royal Farms plush chicken with all my points.

So, that happened.

#Toys #toygraphyid #Plushie #PlushToy #Plushies #RoyalFarms #PlushiesOfInstagram #PlushiesOfPixelfed

mdmrn, 1 month ago to manga

So, I was tagged on Intagram by facetious_manga to talk about my "Bookstagram Backstory." I don't know if a Pixelfed equivalent exists. Bookselfed? Pixelbook? I don't know, I'll use both hashtags and share.

Regardless. Let's go, I guess.

When did I start on Bookstagram?
This account is and remains a personal account. While I post (often), about manga, this isn't exclusively about books or manga. My first post was in April 2016. Wow...that's a long time ago. I started getting more active in posting about books / manga, participating in things like "25 Days of Manga" in 2020. But it was early 2023 when I started posting a lot more manga pics / reviews.

What inspired your username?
I started on Twitter and needed a small handle. MD - I'm from Maryland, MRN - My initials. 83 - I'm old.

What was your 1st review?
The first "review" I posted was saying that the Free Comic Book Day 2016 Firefly comic was good. It got more detailed in my reviews after that.

Favorite part of Bookstagram?
The community. So may good folks to talk, discuss, and share.

Booksta made me buy?
My Lovesick Life as a 90s Otaku. I couldn't NOT get it, the reviews were just too much and I was not disappointed.

Aesthetic?
Middle aged nerdy, bearded Dad-core? I really have no idea.

Recent reads?
A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Ōima
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku by Fujita
Re-Reading Your Lie in April by Naoshi Arakawa

Describe your aesthetic using emojis
🤷‍♂️🎵🤡🤭🐱👨‍🦲🧔

Tagging no one. Feel free to participate if you like!

#Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #Bookstagram #Booksta #Bookstagrammer #BookstagramBackStory #MangaReader #MangaFan #Beard #Selfie #BeardUp #Beards #Bookselfed #Pixelbook #Fediverse #Pixelfed #BooksOfPixefed #BooksOfMastodon #BooksOfFediverse

mdmrn, 1 month ago to VideoGames

This past weekend, we stopped at a tiny arcade at the hotel I stayed at with the family. They have one of the two greatest arcade games of all time - Ms. Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat II.

Don't argue with me...that's totally a fact.

Regardless, as the main screens cycled through I took this picture. There was a screen that showed up with details on how to order the soundtrack as well as two different Mortal Kombat comic books back when this dropped in 1993.

I wonder...do you think that's still valid? And if not, do you think there's folks out there who still have copies of these comics / the CD? Cause...I kind of want them.

Also, who stood around in an arcade in 1993 with a pen and paper to write down all this information? Cause I want to meet those people too...

...And borrow the soundtrack from them.

#VideoGames #MortalKombatII #MortalKombat2 #Arcade #ArcadeCabinet #Music #VGM #VideoGameMusic #ComicBooks #MortalKombat #FightingGames #ArcadeGame #ArcadeGames #Photo

mdmrn, 4 days ago to Parenting

Per one of my 9 year olds, this is me.

This is what I look like.

I think she's added a lot of extra hair here, but I'll allow it.

What do you think?

#Parenting #Art #KidArt #KidsArt #Photo #Photography #ParentsOfInstagram #ParentsOfPixelfed #Parents #ParentsOfFedi #FediParents #ParentsOfMastodon

mdmrn, 1 month ago to Parenting

Is it still considered bloomscrolling when the flowers I post are, in fact, fake flowers from an art project I posted up at work made by my youngest kid?

I think so.

I'll allow it.

Have a great one.

#Parenting #KidsArt #Bloomscrolling #Flowers #Photo #Photography #ParentsOfInstagram #Kids #KidArt

mdmrn, 16 days ago to Parenting

New Read - Disney Stitch: Best Friends Forever

Story time to start. Sorry, I can't help myself.

My youngest two are 9 and this week they had a Scholastic Book Fair. One thing that they've found is that, from time to time, there is Disney manga at the book fair from TokyoPop. Which, by the way, there were no comic books at Scholastic Book Fairs when I was a kid, but I digress.

As my youngest like Lilo and Stitch, they picked up this volume called "Stitch: Best Friends Forever!" Short version: It's cute.

The story has Stitch's ship crash landing in an island in Okinawa. While there, Stitch becomes friends with a local girl named Yuna and goofiness ensues. This single volume has self-contained stories in each individual chapter of Stitch getting into silly / funny situations with an elementary aged girl and her friends.

This is, however, a compilation volume. There is a full, two volume Stitch manga that was previously released. "Best Friends Forever" picks some fan favorite chapters and mashes them together in what, at times, feels like no particular order. It's not bad, but it does give you kind of whiplash from time to time

Long story short, it's a taste of the Stitch manga. If you enjoy it (which we did), then it's worth checking out the full series (which I probably will with my kids).

It's a cute, all ages manga about Stitch and a different friend in Japan. If you like cute kid's manga, check it out.

#MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #MangaPost #MangaRecommendation #InstaManga #MangaLover #MangaReader #Parenting #ScholasticBookFair #TokyoPop #Stitch #DisneyManga #StitchManga #MihoAsada #AsadaMiho

Black and white manga photo. Central is Stitch (blue alien creature that's vaguely racoon shaped with large ears and dark eyes smiling with a large mouth) from the Disney film "Lilo and Stitch" dressed as a knight with a small sword in his hand. A young girl with curly hair in pigtails is looking nervous wearing a dress.

mdmrn, 1 month ago to Candy

75% off

Uh oh

#ReesesPeanutButterCups #ReesesPeanutButterCup #Reeses #Candy #CandyGram #Easter #ReesesEggs #SnackFood #Snacks #Sales #EasterCandy

mdmrn, 17 days ago to Parenting

This weekend I went to a band trip with my 12 year old as a chaperone. It started with band performances, ended with them (and me) at an amusement park all day.

I met a bunch of Middle Schoolers who were friends / acquaintances with my daughter. They referred to me as "cool," "legendary," "icon," and one said I was "an icon on par with Madonna." But...but why?

I think about that day and all I can think is that I'm an adult, a parent who was willing to engage with these kids. I talked with them about music, their hobbies, anime, video games, whatever they wanted to talk about. I listened and interacted. Apparently, that's enough to make me an icon.

It feels very basic. But, the fact that just this level of interaction felt out of the norm for them from their friend's parents that it made them call me an icon, I feel that says more about the other adults in their lives than it does about my awesomeness.

...But, I'll take the compliments nonetheless.

Have a great Wednesday.

#Selfie #Beard #Beards #BeardUp #Parenting #Kids #DragonBall #DBZ #DragonBallZ #Hat #Story #Photograph #OOTD #OutfitOfTheDay

mdmrn, 11 days ago to manga

New Read - Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Volume 8 (Naoko Takeuchi Collection)

Volume 8 continued where Volume 7 left off, finishing up the story of the Dead Moon.

It continues with Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask being very sick while the other Sailor Scouts are fighting against the Dead Moon Kingdom. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask try to come out anyway, and they discover some new powers within Mamoru himself! Also, our Pegasus friend is freed.

A lot happens as we conclude this chapter filled with nightmares consuming the planet. See the third pic for one of Sailor Moon's personal nightmares, and one that will haunt me forever.

The last handful of chapters of this volume are more Sailor Moon side stories telling tales about individual Sailor Scouts, their background, and a quick hit self contained story. They were cute, but I am looking forward to the next volume as we proceed the plot forward overall.

Personally, I have really been enjoying the mainline plot a lot more than the seemingly filler side stories. There have been a few good ones, but overall the mainline plot following all of the Sailor Scouts has been my absolute favorite part of reading this. Can't wait for more when Volume 9 of this edition drops.

#Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #NaokoTakeuchi #NaokoTakeuchiCollection #PrettyGuardianSailorMoon #SailorMoonManga #Oldtaku #SuperSailorMoon #SailorMoon #SailorMoon30thAnniversary

Black and white photograph from within Sailor Moon, Volume 8, showing Sailor Moon in a field of flowers screaming with her hand / wand in the air, "I am Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon I will punish you! I'll get rid of you and your nightmares once and for all!" The moon looms largely behind her
Black and white photograph from within Sailor Moon, Volume 8, showing Sailor Moon zoomed in on her face with what appears to be her skin melting away with Noooo! written alongside of her on the right in a speech bubble. Only her shoulders and head are visible.

mdmrn, 1 month ago to Parenting

Throwback Thursday to when I only had 2 kids (2013) and decided to climb on my kids' rocking horse with my cowboy hat.

Ye haw.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #Parenting #Silly #RockingHorse #Toys #Mess

mdmrn, 19 days ago to Otaku

New Read - My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku, Volume 3

Volume 3 has been read and it was a journey.

Masamune is trying to set up something nice for his sister's birthday. Megumi gets involved, trying to encourage him to do a party and maybe ask his Mom to come. Also, she finally meets Yui in person and finds out that Yui is a boy! And he tries hard to not reveal that he has a huge crush on Megumi.

It's just adorable.

But, Megumi ends up pulled in two directions and her crush / trying to help Masamune pulling her another way and it all comes crashing down as a bag full of her precious manga falls out onto the ground during Masamune's sister's birthday, which had already become a mess because of Masamune's Mom.

The ending of this volume. Ugh!

I don't know how I'm going to wait for the conclusion in Volume 4 which doesn't drop until August. Ugh!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments if you've read this.

#MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #MangaPost #MangaRecommendation #InstaManga #MangaLover #MangaReader #Oldtaku #Otaku #90sOtaku #MyLovesickLifeAsA90sOtaku #NicoNicholson

Photograph of a white person's hand holding open Volume 3 of My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku. The left page is blank. The right page shows three panels in the background with a blushing, dark-haired girl in the foreground. The panels in the back, from right to left, show a teenage boy with light hair blushing and holding a charm necklace, the second panel zooms in on his blushing face, the third panel shows him from behind facing the same, dark haired girl who looks confused. A speech bubble says, "I'm Yui."

mdmrn, 1 month ago to Bloomscrolling

Flower: Pink Magnolia Tree

Location: Edgewater, Maryland

#Bloomscrolling #Flowers #Trees #Maryland #HistoricLondonTown #GoPublicGardens #Magnolia #MagnoliaTree #MagnoliaTrees #PinkMagnolia

mdmrn, 23 days ago to VideoGames

In 2023, McDonald's in China released a special Tetris LCD handheld that is shaped like a chicken nugget. For some reason, this was the tie-in for the 40th anniversary of the Chicken McNugget.

I wanted it immediately.

But, as I did not live in China and knew no one who could import such things for me at the time, I could not. So, I waited.

At Magfest, earlier this year, I saw this prize sitting on a shelf, mocking me. At nearly 50 bucks, I was tempted, but unwilling to buy it.

I forgot about it for a while when 7-Eleven announced their own new Tetris tie-in handheld, this time on a Slurpee cup. It reminded me of my long wanted chicken nugget handheld.

I went to eBay and found someone with a relatively high rating, selling them for less than 15 USD including shipping. So, I bought one. That was early April.

It arrived this week.

It's as beautiful as I expected.

No, but seriously, it's a functional LCD handheld that you can play Tetris on. It's adorable. It is literally easier to play Tetris on this, than on my phone.

Also, it's classic mode so if there is not space for the Tetromino block to do spin - it won't spin.

Anyway - short version: I imported for myself the Chicken McNugget Tetris game and it's silly fun.

#VideoGames #McDonalds #McDonaldsChina #20YearsOfNuggets #NuggetFrenzy #ChickenNuggetTetris #LimitedEditionToys #Tetris #ChickenMcNuggets #Toys #ToysPhotography

Photograph of a plastic framed Chicken McNugget toy with an LCD screen and buttons on it. Beneath it is a McDonald's sticker sheet. This is all sitting on a blue and grey tablecloth.
Collage of two photographs stacked vertically with a thick, white border around everything. Both photographs show a plastic framed Chicken McNugget toy with an LCD screen and buttons on it in a white person's hand. The screens are on in both cases. The image on the left shows a "T" in the center with the McDonald's logo in the corner and a level of 88 with a score of 9999. The image on the right shows a z-shaped block falling with a score of zero on Level 1 with the same McDonald's logo in the corner.

mdmrn, 1 month ago to photography

So, we're going back to organic chemistry everyone!

After my first post with my molecular model kit showing an environmental contaminant, I decided to post up another.

This one is a semi-volatile organic environmental contaminant that is commonly found in coal tar, mothballs, and mixed into creosote for rail ties. That distinct "mothball odor" is this compound! Fun fact - a human nose can detect the mothball odor before most standard electronic detectors of organic odors / vapors.

Can you guess the compound? Let me know in the comments!

#Photography #Chemistry #MolecularModel #OrganicChemistry #Contaminant #Toy #ChemistryLove #Organic #MolecularModelKit #Chemist #Toys #OrganicChemistryMolecularKit #MolecularKit #OChem

mdmrn, 24 days ago to photography

Welcome back to another round of organic chemistry with MDMRN.

Once again, I've taken my molecular model kit to craft a new molecule. This one, frankly, I was able to craft using the pieces of the previous ones I presented before. While I didn't say it last time, the green represents a halogen, in this case specifically chlorine.

A hint is that the production of these types of compounds has been banned in numerous countries, including the United States. It was, historically, found in electrical transformers.

Can you guess what type of compound this is? Let me know in the comments!

#Photography #Chemistry #MolecularModel #OrganicChemistry #Contaminant #Toy #ChemistryLove #Organic #MolecularModelKit #Chemist #Toys #OrganicChemistryMolecularKit #MolecularKit #OChem

mdmrn, 2 months ago to manga

New Read - My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku, Volume 2

Okay, internet, I'm caught up!

I finally read Volume 2 of My Lovesick Life as a 90's Otaku and my goodness - the emotions. The feeling of being a nerd in the 90s and trying to be...normal around others. It's too real.

Volume 2 finally sees Meggers embrace her otaku-ness publicly, kind of, but also not. It advances the slow burn romantic tension between the class President and Megumi in such an adorable way. You see Masamune, his anime / manga obsessed Mom, and you see that he's basically solo parenting his siblings. It brings in some sad, but also sweet moments.

Also, Megumi makes an unexpected livelong friend this volume too by defending another girl who has a hard time making female friends. It's adorable and I love every second of it.

I am so glad I jumped into this series and looking forward to Volume 3.

#Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #Oldtaku #Otaku #90sOtaku #MyLovesickLifeAsA90sOtaku #NicoNicholson

Photograph of a white person's hand holding open Volume 2 of My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku. The black and white pages that are open show a dark haired girl smiling and blushing in various panels where she is relishing the fact that someone is reading her self-published manga. In the lower left-hand corner is a light-haired boy who is also blushing a lot while looking at the same girl. In the lower panels, the girl is saying, "This book. I drew it! It's mine!"

mdmrn, 26 days ago to manga

New Manga Read - Fist of the North Star, Volume 12

Welcome to the apocalypse!

Volume 11 is about this man on the cover, Falco.

Falco is the inheritor of Gento Kōken (roughly translated as Original Dipper Imperial Fist). The followers of Genko Kōken were sworn to protect the Celestial Emperor (Tentei) from harm.

In this volume, Kenshiro is returning to help the Hokuto Army which is led by Lin and Bat to free those under the thumb of Jaco. Falco, who appears to be nothing but good and compassionate, is somehow the evil Jaco's second in command. Why? Jaco has kidnapped the Tentei and kept them hostage.

This volume is filled to the brim with reveals. Some about Lin. A lot of backstory about Falco, which makes him such a fascinating character. Also, the reveal about the Tentei and who they are was HUGE. Doing minimal spoilers despite this manga being as old as I am.

Falco has a prosthetic leg due to Raoh destroying his leg in the past. Raoh told him that he needed to kill Jaco or, one day, Jaco would manipulate and dominate him. Raoh was right.

While we get a brutal match between Falco and Kenshiro, the ending of the volume is well done with a cliffhanger for the next volume.

ALSO (which I say a lot), Fist of the North Star constantly reminds you that toxic masculinity is bad and that you can be masculine and have feelings / cry. Kenshiro feels, always. Kenshiro allows himself to cry over loss, cry over the suffering of others. He allows himself to feel. There is nothing un-masculine about having emotions. Kenshiro constantly reminds the reader of that...amongst all the brutal violence.

Love this series. Looking forward to Volume 13.

#Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #MangaPost #MangaRecommendation #InstaManga #MangaLover #MangaReader #Buronson #TetsuoHara #VizMedia #VizManga #FOTNS #HokutoNoKen #HokutoNoKenManga #HNK #FistOfTheNorthStar #MangaMonday

Manga screenshot from Fist of the North Star, Volume 12. The image shows a man with a flat top holding his hand out and open, partially obscuring his face. A speech bubble reads, "Hate doesn't even begin to express how I feel."
Manga screenshot from Fist of the North Star, Volume 12. Image shows a light haired man crying while holding a dying dark haired man in his arms while sitting on the ground. A short haired woman is kneeling and seen from behind in front of them. A speech bubble from the one living man reads, "You crazy fool."
Collage of two manga screenshot from Fist of the North Star, Volume 12 shown side by side. The left image shows a beefy man from behind having a spear enter into his back with a beefy, bloodied man with a light haired flat top looking surprised as the other takes the pain for him. The right hand image shows two women in a cage who look identical to each other with short hair, one on the left is wearing a gown, the one on the right is wearing apocalyptic-looking leather armor.

mdmrn, 1 month ago to manga

New Manga Pickup - The end of last week I got an order in. What's that manga?!?

It's...

...Pokémon Pocket Comics!

For those who've never read them before, the Pokémon Pocket Comic series are a collection of 4-koma manga that's filled with Pokémon gags. The Black and White issue goes through every new 'Mon in the Unova Pokédex with a goofy gag about each one, with Oshawott serving as a quasi narrator interacting with nearly every 'Mon in the book.

I haven't read the Legendary one yet, but if it's anything like any of the others I've read, it'll be silly and fun, easy to pick up / put down and share with kids.

If you have a kid (or are an adult who is) really into Pokémon, these are fun and worth checking out. Also, each 4-koma set of pages has fun facts about each 'Mon right out of the Pokédex.

Anyway, they're fun and kind of funny.

Let me know if you've ever read any of the Pokémon Pocket Comics!

#Manga #MangaCollector #MangaReview #Mangagram #MangaCommunity #Mangagrammer #MangaCommunity #MangaMonday #Pokemon #PokemonPocketComics #SantaHaruzake #Pokemon4Koma #PokemonBlackWhite

Photograph of a brown, Amazon package with two books on top of it on a brown couch. The book on the left is Pokémon Pocket Comics Black and White with a yellow cover and Tepig, Osawott, Snivy, Reshiram, and Zekrom smiling. The book on the right is Pokémon Pocket Comics Legendaries with a red cover with Meowth, Oshawott, Whimsur on top and Black Kyurem / White Kyurem facing each other near the bottom.
Photograph of a set of Photograph of Pokémon Pocket Comics behind an adorable plush Bulbasaur on a white / blue bed cover. In front of it are Pokémon Pocket Comics Black and White (left) with a yellow cover and Tepig, Osawott, Snivy, Reshiram, and Zekrom smiling. The book on the right is Pokémon Pocket Comics Legendaries with a red cover with Meowth, Oshawott, Whimsur on top and Black Kyurem / White Kyurem facing each other near the bottom.

mdmrn, 28 days ago to Cats

Before this Saturday is over, I must post for Caturday!

Hope you are a great Caturday!

#Caturday #Cats #CatsOfInstagram #Meow #Photography #Photograph #Photo #Kitty #AnimalPhotography #CatsOfPixelfed #CaturdayEveryday #Pets #Pet #CatsOfMastodon