Wishing Adam Hughes the Best

It has been made public that the incredibly talented comic artist Adam Hughes is battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. As someone who has had a number of loved ones impacted by cancer (and colon cancer specifically as well), I know that Hughes and his family are going through a lot right now. Hughes has, understandably, canceled upcoming store and convention appearances. I am sending Hughes and his family positive vibes for sure!

Val Kimer Has Passed

Val Kilmer died this most recent Tuesday at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia. He was a fantastic actor. He is one of a small number of folks to portray Batman, he was a hoot in, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," amazed folks in, "Tombstone," and the original, "Top Gun." Whether in, "Heat," or doing voice-over work for animated properties, Kilmer was a great talent. 

Kilmer developed throat cancer in 2015 and treatment rendered it difficult for him to eat or speak, but that didn't stop him from making a fascinating autobio film, "Val," in 2020. His last film appearance was a brief but impactful role in, "Top Gun: Maverick," in 2022, which had his voice digitally fine-tuned. He was a superb actor and by many accounts a lovely person in general (although at times it was rumored he was hard to work with on films, hence him kinda-quitting/kinda-being-fired from portraying Batman again back when George Clooney replaced him, to give one example).

My favorite role with Kilmer has to be the absurd aforementioned comedy, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." Pitch black in tone while also being hilarious, it features Robert Downey Junior as well and it is a treat to see Kilmer and Junior on screen together being uproarious. It's a strange little flick that shows off how much range Kilmer could have when allowed to let loose. Val Kilmer was a great talent. He will be missed.

Dove Shows Support for Breast Cancer Survivors in a New Ad

I recently saw a Dove ad that apparently started airing over the Summer. It was about, "Skin stories," and had a variety of women with different body types featured as Dove talked about its body wash. Then one thing caught my eye, a woman appeared in the ad who opened her robe and had a double mastectomy scar. The ad did not try to blur this out or act like it was shameful, it was just simply her skin story. I did some Googling and that woman was named Juliet and a cancer survivor. I found articles by those who appreciated the ad, and as with anything, people perturbed for one reason or another. I just applaud Dove for partnering with Juliet and her being comfortable with her body after everything she has gone through to share her story with us.