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AICN COMICS: Ye Olde @$$Hole X-M@$$ List 2010!
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YE OLDE @$$HOLE X-MAS LIST!
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Ambush Bug’s list!
Matt Adler’s list!
Mr. Pasty’s list!
Humphrey Lee’s list!
Molly McIsaac’s list!
Henry Higgins Is My Homeboy’s list!
KletusCasaday’s list!
Optimous Douche’s list!
Taffeta Darling’s list!
Prof. Challenger’s list!
FOR THE LITERARY LOVERS IN THE HOUSE!
Two prose novels from IDW which both honor and update classic tales of wonder and weird. CLASSICS MUTILATED takes classic stories such as TOM SAWYER or modern stories such as Werner Herzog’s GRIZZLY MAN and gives them an injection of strange. It’s Tom and Jim meets Cthulhu and Grizzly Man meets Pokemon. Each and every story in this one will fascinate you at the seamless coupling of classic stories and the horror genre. GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES presents the stories untouched and in their original format showing that the fairy tales we grew up with weren’t so fitting for bedtime stories. Sure to raise eyebrows and chill bones, both of these books are available now and perfect gifts for that literary horror lover that is special to you.
FOR THOSE WITH AN EYE FOR BEAUTY!
One of the most imaginative and beautiful works of graphic literature this year is available for the holidays. Jim McCann and Janet Lee’s epic fable about a town of children and robots and how everything changes when an army of well dressed men float down from the sky with umbrellas. McCann is telling an original modern classic fairy tale here and Janet Lee’s layered etchings need to be seen to be believed. No art lover should go without having this in their bookcase.
FOR THAT SPECIAL INDIE LOVER IN YOUR LIFE!
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The Norwegian cartoonist known simply as Jason released a collection of his earliest stories this year and anyone with a taste for comics from the fringe should put this high on their wish list. Jason’s animal-headed characters all wear blank stares and rarely smile, but his stories pack an emotional punch that will chill and touch even the most jaded comic fan. Jason is an artist with a style wholly original and a master at his game. This book shows us that he was a master of modern graphic novels even in his early works. I reviewed this book this week here.
WHAT I WANT FOR X-MAS!
As with all of my previous X-Mas picks, I always try to pick out a Bowen bust fitting to decorate the desktop of my man-cave. This year, Bowen outdid themselves with three gorgeous busts of three of my favorite Asgardians, the Warriors Three. Admire the girth of Volstagg, the menace of Hogunn, and the flair of Fandrall. Having these three noble warriors adorn the top of my writing desk will surely inspire mucho creative @$$y goodness!
FOR THE HARDCORE MARVEL FAN IN YOUR LIFE!
Do you know someone obsessed with Marvel? Well, conveniently for you, you can get them OBSESSED WITH MARVEL, a trivia book written by longtime Marvel continuity guru Pete Sanderson that comes with a built-in electronic scoring device that lets the reader test their knowledge and even compete against friends for the title of Marvel Zombie Supreme.
FOR THE HARDCORE DC FAN IN YOUR LIFE!
Former DC honcho Paul Levitz just came out with an enormous and dangerously heavy tome entitled 75 YEARS OF DC COMICS: THE ART OF MODERN MYTHMAKING. Besides its hazards and potential uses as a deadly weapon, this book exhaustively covers the history of DC Comics; even if you’re someone familiar with DC history, you’ll learn something new.
FOR THE SPORTS FAN IN YOUR LIFE
Who’s the greatest? I’ll give you a hint: he floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. In 1978, DC published a landmark crossover, not with Marvel, but between their icon Superman and real-life superhero Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. A classic tale created by comic legends Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, SUPERMAN VS MUHAMMAD ALI has just been re-released in a new deluxe hardcover edition.
FOR THE MISER ON YOUR LIST!
This companion to THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK (Vol. 1 & 2) does a fascinating job of expanding on the Scrooge McDuck universe and his early exploits. This colorful and handsomely drawn hardcover is guaranteed to entertain audiences both young and old, thanks largely in part to Don Rosa’s meticulous detail, especially in the outstanding "Prisoner of White Agony Creek" and “Cowboy Captain of the Cutty Sark" chapters. Haven’t read volumes one and two? Pick up all three; they’re reasonably priced and should be a part of any home library.
FOR THOSE TRAVELLING FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Only in the TWILIGHT ZONE would someone get you a gift this cool, which is why I suggest you take care of yourself this holiday season and pick up the gremlin that did to airplanes what JAWS did to beaches. Just don’t run around the house claiming to see Santa Clause ripping the Christmas lights off your roof. However, if you want to go the Lithgow route and pop a few pills under the mistletoe, at least you’ll have your little green bobblehead to keep you company. Try not to shoot out the living room window when the policemen come to pick you up after one too many spiked egg nogs.
SILENT NIGHT, PASTY NIGHT
Great for cold winter mornings and robbing liquor stores, the Boba Fett hoodie gives you a reason to buy something from Mark Ecko and not feel like a tool. Anyone can run around the house on Christmas morning with an action figure, but how many people can actually look like the baddest man from the STAR WARS universe without dropping three grand on a costume? Any guy on any Christmas list will appreciate finding this under the tree. Styles may come and go, but Boba Fett will be cool forever.
FOR THE READERS WHO LOVE GIANT ASS!
As a gift to myself I decided to Amazon this little ditty a couple weeks back, and it is quite the package. Hailed as one of the best Superman stories of all time, and I would agree it is up there (I don’t subscribe to the gushing love it gets, but it’s a really good self-contained story) and really is a must for those that are fanboys of the big red ‘S’. At the least, it is an oversized, amazingly well produced piece of some of the greatest art to ever grace the comics page, the gloriousness of that alone makes it something you could feel the recipient of will appreciate. For a fan of the Big Blue Boyscout, and still a universal gift for any comic book fan.
FOR THE READER WHO LOVES GRITTY ANTHROMORPHIZED NOIR
Don’t let the adorably grim panther on the cover fool you, this is one of the grittiest, dirtiest and coolest comics I have had the pleasure of reading. It’s got a fantastic real world vibe to go with the uncanny composition of the characters, but it works because of how feral it is, in true noir fashion. There’s tons of social issues at hand as it is also a bit of a period piece, but has all the sex and violence and cracked-tooth wisecracking you would expect to come from the genre. Oh, and it might be the most glorious piece of comic book artwork I have ever seen. A dirty, yet delightful, gift.
FOR THE READER WHO LOVES SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Hands down one of the best new series of the past handful of years, CHEW, if anything, exudes lots of quirk. Surrounding a main character who experiences the past of whatever it is he tastes.
When one walks into my apartment, it looks like a 12 year old boy lives there... instead of a 20 something year old woman. There are action figures lining the shelves, plushies hanging from odd surfaces, and comic books stacked haphazardly in every corner. So Christmas time is still just as exciting to me as a grown up as it was when I was eight years old, since my tastes haven't changed very much. Here's three totally rad things I think any comic book geek would be keen on.
Never one to stray from Christmas traditions, I always expect a pajama set under my tree. As a fellow Amazonian woman, I'd be all about flouncing around in this Wonder Woman "pajama" set and roping random things with my golden lasso.
Oh, delicious, stylish...AND practical? Be still my little geeky heart. I want to put so many things into this bag; not just comic books. Maybe some kittens. Or a human bone. The possibilities are endless!
You think I'm going to leave actual comic books off of a comic book gift guide? PSHAW. This superawesome Scott Pilgrim box set has come out just in time for the holidays. If you have been living under a ROCK and haven't read SCOTT PILGRIM yet, you might as well buy this boxset, because you're not going to be moving off of your couch (or bed, or the park bench) until you finish the entire series.
FOR THE COMIC FAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING!
Simply put one of the best ongoing comics right now. I may have titles I personally prefer, but whenever I try to decide what book is most worth reading, I always come back to WALKING DEAD. The scope, the characters, the ever shifting plot, there's nothing about this book I would change. For any comic fan that doesn't already own it.
FOR ANYONE THINKING OF GETTING ME SOMETHING FOR X-MAS!
The newest show by Stephen Moffit (of DOCTOR WHO fame), this take on the Holmes series is absolutely brilliant. Holmes and Watson are perfect, the direction is top notch, and the writing is some of the best I've ever seen in a Holmes adaptation.
FOR SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T READ COMICS!
Nowadays, everyone is a nerd. The question is, if not a comic nerd, what kind of nerd? Courtesy of threadless.com, you can find out. One of the only shirts that's made me laugh out loud, it's a brilliant concept, and worth the purchase.
FOR THE PERSON WHO DOESN’T KNOW COMICS FROM DIDDLY!
I gave the first trade paperback UNMANNED to my girlfriend, who at that time had read no comics whatsoever, and had not shown much of an interest in them. I took a wild guess that she would probably at least moderately like that trade but I had no idea. She ate this comic up like Funyuns at the High Times office and not only that, she demanded I bring her every trade immediately. She was reading them two or three a day and I can say with confidence she was hooked. This is a great gift if you have a friend who wants to get into comics and doesn’t know where to start. However ,since this is an exceptionally good comic, you may have a tough time finding a follow up. This deluxe edition collects the first two trade paperbacks, UNMANNED & CYCLES. Trust me, they will thank you; if they don’t then they probably aren’t going to like comics anyway and you should de-friend them…and send their gift to Ain’t It Cool News c/o Kletus Cassidy. It’s $20 on Amazon!
WHAT I WANT FOR X-MAS!
I met Jim Lee once. I was at the Baltimore Comic Convention, I acquired a free ticket and my work agreed to pay for most of my ritzy hotel room. I was on my way back from the hot tub, wearing a towel, dripping wet and who walks through the elevator door, none other than Jim Lee. I was star struck. I tried to hold back but I couldn’t and immediately went into the whole “I loveeverythingyoudoyou’resoawesomeaAGHHHHHHH,” He said thanks, I shook his hand and we continued our awkward elevator ride up. BING! My floor, I couldn’t think of an clever exit phrase, so I nodded and left…only to find out he was on the same fucking floor as me. A smile curled on my face thinking…man, that’s cool. I get to my room and realize he’s still behind me…his room was two doors down from me! It took every ounce of control I had to not to go to his room and ask him to hang out. I laid on my bed content and falling asleep thinking of me and Jim hanging out, running in a field of lilacs skipping and holding hands. What the hell does this have to do with anything, you say? If this story sounds cool to you and you like Jim Lee as much as me, then you probably already have this book and if you don’t it’s probably on your list. I had a chance to briefly look through this book at Border’s for about 5 minutes before my vibrating device went off to indicate my table was ready at a nearby restaurant. It was fucking great book that any, no every, Jim Lee fan must have. Large, beautiful comic book art from sketch to finished product of your favorite DC and Wildstorm characters from (in my opinion) the best in the biz right now. I’ve seen a lot of Jim Lee’s art and I was still blown away! I tried to make it really obvious to Lady Kletus that I needed this book…we’ll see if she got the hint. $40 on Amazon and I think that’s the retail price as well.
FOR THE PERSON WHO LOVES THE MOVIES, BUT HAS NEVER READ COMICS!
I haven’t met any non-comic book fans that don’t love “Batman Begins” & “The Dark Knight”. I know that reading comics gives you a different perspective on comic book movies and thus sometimes leads you to not appreciate these movies as much as we should. These are big budget block busters that are kicking other movie’s asses in ticket sales and world wide appeal and whether they did exactly what you wanted or not, you at least have to give these movies respect. 20 years ago no one would ever think a Batman movie would be one of the highest grossing movies of all time. I know there are tons of great Batman comics out there that one could give to someone to give them a deeper glimpse into the world of the Caped Crusader. I chose this because not only do you get some great characterization of Batman & Bruce Wayne but you get pretty much the entire Batman rogue gallery, you get most of his allies including a bad ass fight scene with Superman and you get Jim Lee. Now I have issues with a couple parts of this story but once again it’s because of my knowledge of Batman from reading his exploits since Kletus was knee high to Robin, but if this was the first Batman comic I ever read, I’d be super impressed and probably would find little to no faults with this story. Everything you need to know about Batman from a beginner’s standpoint is in this book: the Batcave, Batgadgets, explanations of who’s who, Alfred, Batman’s romance with Catwoman…there’s really a lot in this book and I could see a rookie comic reader loving HUSH. This is a great gift and will sit nicely on your friend’s book shelf next to all those old textbooks they keep around to make the opposite sex think they’re smart. $40 list price, $30 on Amazon.
A VERY DOUCHEY CHRISTMAS!
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN SEEING THE IMAX OF COMICS!
The ALL STAR line simply was the Alpha and the Omega of DC. Where ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN incited revolt, ALL STAR SUPERMAN was revered and praised as the second coming of comics…and it was. This new reprinting is the panacea of presentation and proves that women have been lying to us for centuries -- because BIGGER is better. At two and a half times the normal comic size this is the equivalent of graduating to the HD ALL STAR experience. The price is hefty, but you get what you pay for, kids. There’s bonus material out the wazoo, but I’m still just reading the story again and again. This is my third time reading this ground-breaking tale. At first it was month-by-month, then in one fell swoop when issue 12 came out, but this Absolute reading was the first time I truly experienced the book. ALL STAR SUPERMAN was an instant classic and deserves no less than this indelible format. Only get this for those you love and who truly love comics.
NOW YOU CAN STOP TALKING TO PHYLLIS IN ACCOUNTING!
THE WALKING DEAD: COMPENDIUM ONE is the perfect way to shut up the fair weather comic friends and co-workers in your life who only want to hear your comic wisdom when a fucking TV show or movie comes out. And if they won’t read the thing and expect you to still spoon feed them the fates of Rick, Lori and Carl every Monday, this thing is so dense you can just bludgeon them with all 48 collected issues inside and keep it for yourself.
FOR PEOPLE NOT SMART ENOUGH FOR ALL STAR SUPERMAN!
There are comic fans and there are SUPERMAN fans. This is the book for all those in your life that love the mythology of Superman, imbibing his glory in the Donner films and “Smallville”, but really know nothing about actual comics. There are a lot of people out there that simply can’t understand the heavy kookiness of a Morrison book; the concepts in a book like ALL STAR leave them shaking their heads. SECRET ORIGINS is a wonderful retelling of SUPERMAN’S beginnings with a new conflict between Supes and Lex Luthor. Johns is quick witted and writes in such a fashion that comic veterans and neophytes follow in droves, and Gary Frank burns the vestige of Christopher Reeve on to every single page.
So with the holidays around the corner, here's a few suggestions that are pretty much no fuck’n brainers.
FOR THE PERSON WHO DOESN’T KNOW COMICS FROM DIDDLY!
PUSSEY! by Daniel Clowes
SWEET TOOTH Vol.1 by Jeff Lemire
FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING!
FOR THE ZOMBIE LOVER IN YOUR LIFE
A ZILF[Zombie I'd like to Fuck] t-shirt from uniique.com
FOR THE PERSON WHO LOVES THE MOVIES, BUT HAS NEVER READ THE COMICS
Since I'm a DC Fan....May I Offer....GIFTS FOR THE DC FAN!
75 YEARS OF DC COMICS: THE ART OF MODERN MYTHMAKING. This hardcover book by Paul Levitz should be coupled together with a copy of the SECRET ORIGIN: THE STORY OF DC COMICS documentary DVD. The book is a 700+ page monster of a book filled with information, photos, and art detailing the rich business and creative history of DC Comics. It is written by former President and Publisher of DC Comics Paul Levitz, whose love for DC Comics and its characters cannot be disputed, and I can't think of anyone more qualified to tell this backstage story in a literate and entertaining way. The DVD documentary is the perfect complement to the book. The documentary moves along at a brisk pace for about an hour and gives a good overview of the DC Universe and some nice peaks behind the curtain. Filled with lots of on-camera appearances by comic book legends of the past and the present, this would be a delight for fans of DC both old and new.
FOR THE ABSOLUTE FAN!
ABSOLUTE ALL-STAR SUPERMAN
To me, this is simply one of the best comic book series ever and the Absolute format turns out to be the perfect showcase for it. Anyone would be proud to feature this beautiful 2-Volume set on their bookshelf.
In the face of a year that saw the SUPERMAN books hit a new low as far as I am concerned, it is with great joy that I can point to ABSOLUTE ALL-STAR SUPERMAN as the "Hail Mary" that absolves DC of their guilt. Oh how I wish I had my own copy of this one to lovingly embrace while I drift off to sleep on Christmas night...
Since I'm a nerd....May I Offer...THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE NERD AMONG YOU!
This brand-new book by Dr. James Kakalios is a perfect complement to your copy of his previous book, THE PHYSICS OF SUPER-HEROES. Remember when Dr. Kakalios made you feel so smart because he helped you understand exactly how absurdly murderous it really was when Superman lifted that Metropolis orphanage (made out of brick and full of cheering children) and flew it to its new location...safely? Remember when it was brought to your attention that Ray Palmer must have the strength of God Almighty to have been able to lift that fragment of White Dwarf star? Well, get ready to look back through the great pulps and comic books once again, but this time as a means of understanding the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and modern solid state physics. I will admit that there will be times where the science will fly over your head a little bit in this book, but I promise you that Kakalios knows just how to balance the science with memorable examples of bad (and occasionally good) science in sources as varied as Jules Verne books, Buck Rogers stories, 1950s B-movies, and even THE WATCHMEN comics. Kakalios proudly admits that being a comic book fan and a physics professors makes him legitimately both a geek AND a nerd. When you are done with this book, you will be able to make that claim as well.
I promise.
FOR THE COLLECTOR AMONG YOU!
Way out of MY budget, but I know some of you have money to burn out there. For a measly $300, you can own this amazing little item which is battery powered to not only display the removable rings, but also light them up within the display. For those of us who have the cheap giveaway rings from the past year or so, we all know the difficulties involved in displaying them properly to attract the hot chicks....*blink*blink*...*blink*.....anyway....I promise you that if someone you love gets you this for Christmas, you will get a girlfriend faster than you would if you displayed that life-size Bottled City of Kandor replica you got last year.
A PLEA FOR ALL ARTISTS!
For nearly all artists under the age of 35 who are currently drawing comics for Marvel and DC, may I please please please encourage you to beg your loved ones to buy you a copy of the original version of HOW TO DRAW COMICS THE MARVEL WAY by Stan Lee and John Buscema? Please. I'm begging you. Get a copy of this book....and study it...memorize it...absorb it....please. For the love of dear lord little baby Jesus...please.
Editing, compiling, imaging, coding, logos & cat-wrangling by Ambush BugProofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
Check out the @$$oles’ ComicSpace AICN Comics page here for an archive and more @$$y goodness.
@@@HAPPY HOLIDAYS!@@@
@@@FROM AICN COMICS!@@@
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So tempted by that compendium, but after reading issue 6 last night and seeing Shane's fate, I'm not sure I want to spoil the tv show for myself!!
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Good thoughts, but I would have liked to see this about the time Quint came out with his shopping guide.
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Keep reading, bro. You havent even seen the half of it yet, actually not even the 1/10th of it yet. You havent even met Michonne yet.
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Sweet! I'll head right out and order this stuff right now, assholes! If I cross my fingers, it might get here by the 29th!
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-would be one of the highest grossing movies of all time."
20 years ago, Batman WAS one of the highest grossing movies of all time. -
Dec 20, 2010 2:18:57 PM CST
Anime news, comics news, reviews of old horror movies about bears, and a behind the scenes pic...
by dadtimestwo
GOT ANY REAL MOVIE NEWS?
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is the one that doesn't come out till June and is Jim Lee's uninked and uncolored pencils. The complete paperback's only $17.
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Very awkward. Feel the warm stream of my bloody piss.
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but does anyone read comics anymore, other than the 14 years olds sitting in the aisles at barnes and noble reading all the manga?
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"20 years ago no one would ever think a Batman movie would be one of the highest grossing movies of all time."
really? cos 20 years ago is 1990. Had everyone forgotten the year before's biggest box office? -
just noticed laserhead saying the same thing. fuck. now i feel almost a stupid as the guy thinking batman wasnt a hit.
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so both you and laserhead beat me to it. On another note, I like the concept, but I'm not a fan of the Absolute format, too unwieldy for me. Great if you want to open it up on a coffee table and show a few pages to friends, not so great if you actually want to sit down and read it though.
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Always makes me happy to see other people are reading and recommending it.
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My arms were tlired after reading All Star Supes, but for exceptional material like this I'm willing to feel the burn.
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I just bought Blacksad, even though it takes 1-3 months to ship. I agree about Walking Dead Compendium... even the graphic novels take like 20 minutes to read, so the compendium is thick enough to actually take a little time reading. Thought maybe Green Woman would be on this list, I bought it based on recommendations here and found it very interesting.
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Is one of the best OGNs of the year. For whatever reason, I don't equate zombies or serial killers with gifts of the season. :) Otherwise...I would'a given it another shout out.
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...start with pages from SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE then follow with pages from ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN.
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I usually don't ask for comics/graphic novels, I'm the one who gives 'em. Most of my friends have stopped reading them with any kind of regularity, so I try to update them periodically (Christmas and birthdays mostly (either that or cash (which, hey, we could all use more of))). A couple years ago I got The Long Halloween for my dad (along with some other stuff). He had stopped reading comics when he was about seven, and he loved it. We spent the better part of a week discussing it. That was a great Christmas. A little late with the list, guys, but I can afford the shipping, so no harm done.
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You know, I wonder that myself sometimes. When I was younger I remember being able to buy comics anywhere you could get a book or a magazine. Now, the only place I can drive to in under two hours is a Borders about 30 min. away from where I live. It has a shitty selection, and its never up to date. But it does have a decent Graphic Novel section, which is usually crowded (with some kind of lively conversation or debate going on), and although that gives me some hope, I tend to think that the torch has been passed to the people who wait for the trades (I do some waiting myself these days, though I get most of comics online). I don't it's THE END or anything, just a shift in perspective. And in this age of comics on film, and near instaneous downloading of stuff, it's not so surprising that some 14 year old kid would want to read an entire arc in one sitting (regardless of whether he or she reads it front to back or vice versa). Look at the business box sets of TV series are doing. Who wants to wait a month for a comic book besides a traditionalist like me? So I've taken you at your word, my friend, that you are not a troll, and chose to give a long and unwieldy answer to your angry question. But in short: I read them, and I am not a 14 year old girl (though, Lord knows I've been called far uglier things).
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New format. Same old fuck ups. that's probably not the only one in their either, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna read it again. Son of a bitch is long.
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I've been trying to nail Phyllis in accounting for months now. So if you guys have something that will put me in the running, I'd appreciate it.
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