Latest news with #KellyThompson
Geek Dad
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Absolute Wonder Woman #10: Secrets of the Labyrinth
Absolute Wonder Woman #10 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: After a first arc full of kaijus and dark fantasy, Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman have plunged us into one of the best set pieces in all of classic fiction – the minotaur. As Diana makes her way through the massive underground maze, she encounters new enemies – the mad queen Clea and her army of Fish-men who look straight out of the world of Lovecraft. But she also meets some unexpected new allies – the hulking but gentle minotaur Ferdinand, who has been trapped there for eons, and the seemingly mute young siren Petra. The issue opens with a dramatic fight scene, as Clea unleashes her army. As Ferdinand makes an unexpected sacrifice, Diana dedicates herself to protecting the young girl in her care – but then pulls a classic Diana move of her own, getting to the exit but turning back. No man left behind, even if they have a giant bull's head. Monsters of the deep. Via DC Comics. One of my favorite parts about this book has been how well it sews together its present day plot-driven segments with the flashbacks to Diana's youth. This issue finds Diana in her younger years, first beginning her training as a warrior with the secret guidance of the Gods. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, and she sticks to this when a massive demonic cat-monster arrives in hell, refusing to take its bait – until it tries to harm an innocent creature under her protection, and it discovers just how far she's willing to go. That drive is what brings her back to the labyrinth to rescue Ferdinand. As this issue comes to a close, though, Diana might need to be more concerned with her own safety – the Fish-Men have a unique hallucinogenic property that turns the maze into a kaleidoscope of surreal visuals that allow Hayden Sherman's art to really lean into the brilliantly surreal. Another excellent issue of one of the best books on the stands. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Birds of Prey #23: On the Run
Birds of Prey #23 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: The best writers can turn just about any scenario into a great comic, and that's the case for this issue – where the Birds of Prey largely face some forced and uneasy downtime. Oracle's lair has been bombed by the mysterious Daemon and his global army, and there are strict protocols for this – the birds need to vanish. So Cass, Sin/Megeara, and Black Canary all split up to meet at a designated spot later, and are alone with their thoughts. Sin and Megeara bicker over their next move, Cass grapples with the possible loss of two of her best friends, and Dinah struggles with her guilt over her last words to Barbara – and fends off a horny guy with one of the funniest scenes in this run in a while. But of course, Barbara is extremely capable – so I don't think it's a spoiler that she didn't die in the explosion, but that doesn't make the emotions surrounding it feel any less real under Kelly Thompson's pen. Compromised. Via DC Comics. The most pressing crisis, of course, is Big Barda. Good news is, the team knows she's alive. The bad news is, they know she's possessed by Inque and has been turned into a living weapon. It's great to see the most memorable Batman Beyond villain make her way into the DCU, and the use of sonic weapons as a way to peel back the shadow coating is clever and leads to some great visuals. There's an excellent segment where Barbara lays out what each of the recruited villains stands to gain from this mission that puts more thought into it than you usually, see. The visuals by Sami Basri are great, and the end of this issue has an excellent surprise that sort of pulls the whole book full-circle, with some huge fan favorites making their return. This might be the best run on this title that wasn't penned by Gail Simone, thanks to its excellent use of the team dynamic, especially between the founders. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
QC Community Foundation launches new Board Governance Series
The Quad Cities Community Foundation's Center for Nonprofit Excellence has announced the launch of its new Board Governance Series, a dynamic and flexible training opportunity designed to empower current, new, and aspiring nonprofit board members and leaders. The innovative six-part series begins in May. Led and designed by industry experts, the series is built around both in-person mini-courses and a comprehensive digital resource library, which will equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to strong, effective boards. Participants will get practical guidance and support around topics like board recruitment and orientation, running effective meetings, leadership through change, and much more. 'The success of a nonprofit depends on informed and engaged leadership,' said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grant-making and community initiatives at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. 'This series is designed to be accessible and adaptable, ensuring that aspiring and current board members, corporate philanthropy partners, and nonprofit CEOs and executive directors have the resources they need to lead through every challenge and opportunity.' The Board Governance Series is designed to maximize flexibility, allowing participants to register for any or all six sessions based on their individual or organizational needs. Each session will feature expert-led discussions on key governance topics, such as board recruitment and orientation, staff and board relations, and managing healthy tension. To further support learning, attendees will complete pre-work through a user-friendly on-demand learning platform, including short video modules and supplemental materials, all of which will remain available for a full year. With each session priced at just $50, participants gain not only access to top-tier training but also a robust digital library containing 12 on-demand learning modules and an extensive suite of templates and guides. To kick off the series, the Community Foundation will host a virtual information session on Tuesday, April 8, from 9-10 a.m. to provide an overview of the program and answering questions from prospective participants. For more information and to register for the virtual info session, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
