![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Batgirl.jpg\")
Jules<\/strong>: Meet “Batgirl.” This is a commissioned piece by artist Zachary Baldus<\/strong><\/a>. Eisha and I are pleased to be featuring Zachary this week, who first came to my attention with his captivating cover for the new YA novel, The Opposite of Invisible<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by Liz Gallagher<\/strong><\/a>, which I reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>, complete with Zachary’s illustration (with and without the cover text). Zachary has done a slew of other book covers — see here<\/a><\/strong> (Scholastic), here<\/a><\/strong> (Puffin Books), here<\/a><\/strong> (Putnam Books), and here<\/a><\/strong> (Random House) for some examples. When I saw his web site<\/a><\/strong>, I knew I’d want to ask him to stop by here one Sunday. Fortunately for us, he said yes. <\/p>\nZachary gave us free reign to choose our favorite images from his site. This proved difficult for me and Eisha. I mean, there’s this<\/strong><\/a>, this<\/a><\/strong>, this<\/a><\/strong>, and this<\/a><\/strong>. And then we also liked some of his weirder (that’s a compliment), darker stuff, such as this<\/a><\/strong> and this<\/a><\/strong>. And then there’s the eye-popping art work he’s done for comics, such as this<\/a><\/strong> and this<\/a><\/strong> (don’t click on the latter if you don’t wanna get freaked. right. out). <\/p>\n So, that’s one too many “this”es, but my point is that it was hard to pick a favorite. Nevertheless, we’re going to share some below, the first one being one that Zachary sent us that is not featured on his site, a panel from a page he did for an upcoming issue of American Splendor<\/a><\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n As a reminder, our weekly 7 Kicks list is the meeting ground for listing Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week — whether book-related or not — that happened to you (as well as featuring artists like Zachary). New people are more than welcome to leave their lists. We hope you’ll share your kick-worthy moments from the week. <\/p>\n Many thanks to Zachary for visiting and sharing some art work this week. Here are just a few more images from him: <\/p>\n 1* Batgirl!<\/p>\n 2* I accidentally made a friend at work laugh so hard she spewed coffee all over her keyboard.<\/p>\n 3* I went out for coffee and cocoa with the same friend and her nearly-five daughter, who kept cracking us up with her version of knock-knock jokes:<\/p>\n her: “Knock-knock.” Repeat ad infinitum.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n 4* There were a couple of fake-out early spring days this week, with sunshine and warmth. It was enough to melt most of the ice on the river I walk next to coming home from work, turning the waterfalls into really serious, loud<\/em>, rushing torrents. And now it’s snowing again.<\/p>\n 5* I got very very very cute pictures of another friend’s three-month-old baby. Note the restraint I’m showing here. I’m just telling you about them, and not forcing you to look at a baby you don’t even know.<\/p>\n 6* But I also discovered this; which, okay, is a baby I <\/em>don’t even know, but who cares? I am a Beatles fan from birth, too, so this makes me incredibly happy:<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/cat2.JPG\")
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\nme: “Who’s there?”
\nher: (looks around coffee shop)”Um… napkin.”
\nme: “Napkin who?”
\nher: (in gleeful singsong) “Napkin Knock-Knock! Napkin Knock-Knock!” (raucous giggling ensues)<\/p>\n