Articles written by James Richardson
Showing 95 Articles
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The Neandertal Enigma Examined
James Shreeve's book examines the conundrum of where and when modern humans emerged and what happened to the populations our ancestors replaced.
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Just Six Numbers by Martin Rees Reviewed
Sir Martin Rees delves into the numbers behind the forces that govern the universe, explaining how delicately balanced they are and what would happen if they were not.
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Wonderful Life by Stephen Jay Gould Reviewed
One of the most important finds in the history of evolutionary biology was originally so badly misinterpreted that it lay gathering dust in obscurity for four decades.
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Only a Theory by Kenneth R. Miller
Kenneth R. Miller, author of Finding Darwin's God, takes a look at the Intelligent Design movement and what it means for the study of evolution, and science in general.
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Last Chance to See Revisited
Douglas Adams, best known for his Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Dirk Gently novels, turns his attention to the plight of the worlds rarest creatures.
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A Live Action History of Toyman
Whether it's Winslow Schott, Winslow Schott, Jr, or Jack Nimball, when Toyman menaces Metropolis or Smallville, even the most harmless toy can become a deadly weapon.
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Reviewing Death by Black Hole
Neil deGrasse Tyson takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the universe, explaining out the wonders and terrors in a way that even non-physicists can appreciate.
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Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg
Irene Pepperberg and her studies of animal intelligence have been featured on television and in the news many times and the late, great Alex was the star of the show
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Physics of the Impossible Reviewed
A well known voice in the realm of theoretical physics, Michio Kaku takes readers on a tour of the impossible, examining ideas lifted from the pages of science fiction.
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A Brief History of Persuader on TV
Part of the Fatal Five, Persuader is a formidable foe for the Legion of Super Heroes. Any time the Legion appears on screen, Persuader isn't far behind.
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Reviewing When Elephants Weep
Science tends to look askew at the idea of studying emotion in the animal kingdom, largely because the evidence is almost exclusively anecdotal, much like the book.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 7
As the series sprinted to the finish, fans anticipated the show ending on a high note. Despite a number of mediocre episodes, the final season delivered the goods.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 7
As the series sprinted to the finish, fans anticipated the show ending on a high note. Despite a number of mediocre episodes, the final season delivered the goods.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 6
After a somewhat uneven season 5, the Next Generation returned in season 6 with what is arguably the strongest season of the show's seven season run.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 6
After a somewhat uneven season 5, the Next Generation returned in season 6 with what is arguably the strongest season of the show's seven season run.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 5
Season 5 showed some chinks in the Next Generation's armour. While a number of the episodes were excellent, an equal number fell flat, causing concern for the future.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 5
Season 5 showed some chinks in the Next Generation's armour. While a number of the episodes were excellent, an equal number fell flat, causing concern for the future.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 4
Following the strength of season 3, the producers brought an equally strong season 4 to the screen. Several episodes from this season are among the series' best.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 4
Following the strength of season 3, the producers brought an equally strong season 4 to the screen. Several episodes from this season are among the series' best.
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Digging Dinosaurs - A Review
Until the 1980's very few fossils of baby dinosaurs or even juveniles had been found. In Digging Dinosaurs, Jack Horner tells how serendipity and hard work changed that.
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A Live Action History of Lana Lang
Although not as well known as Lois Lane, the other L.L. in Superman's life has a long history of romance with Clark Kent, Superboy and Superman. She's a busy girl.
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An Animated History of Lana Lang
Although not as well known as Lois Lane, the other L.L. in Superman's life has a long history of romance with Clark Kent, Superboy and Superman. She's a busy girl.
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A Brief History of Wonder Girl
Donna Troy, rescued by Wonder Woman, raised as an Amazon and magically endowed with powers similar to her grown up counterpart has made a few brief appearances on TV.
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A History of Plastic Man on Film
Created in 1941, Plastic Man has always been under appreciated. He has only appeared on television a handful of times, but he does keep popping up regularly.
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A Live Action History of Superboy
Half a decade after Superman was first published in his own comic, his adventures as a youngster hit newsstands. Since the late 1960's, he's been a regular on television.
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An Animated History of Superboy
Half a decade after Superman was first published in his own comic, his adventures as a youngster hit newsstands. Since the late 1960's, he's been a regular on television.
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A Brief History of Steel on Film
Inspired by African American folk hero, John Henry, DC Comics created Steel, an African American hero who walks in Superman's footsteps on both film and televsion.
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The Universe in a Nutshell
Stephen Hawking followed up A Brief History of Time with a book that took on the other aspect of his work, space, bringing theoretical physics within reach of the layman.
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Children of the Ice Age: A Review
Steven M. Stanley puts forth an intriguing hypothesis about the relationship between an Ice Age some 2.5 million years ago and the evolution of the genus, Homo.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 3
Season 3 is widely regarded as the season when The Next Generation hit its stride. Some of the very best episodes in the show's history came out of this season.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 3
Season 3 is widely regarded as the season when The Next Generation hit its stride. Some of the very best episodes in the show's history came out of this season.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 2
Delayed by the 1988 Writer's Guild strike, the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was slightly truncated. It was riddled with awful episodes.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 2
Delayed by the 1988 Writer's Guild strike, the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation was slightly truncated. It was still largely superior to season one.
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Worst of Star Trek: TNG Season 1
The first season of the first Star Trek live action spin-off was certainly not its best. It was riddled with uneven writing and actors unsure of their characters roles.
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Best of Star Trek: TNG Season 1
The first season of the first Star Trek live action spin-off was certainly not its best. It was riddled with uneven writing and actors unsure of their characters roles.
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Noted Animated Star Trek Episodes
In the early 1970's, Star Trek returned to television, only this time in the form of an animated series. Not considered "canon", it still had some notable moments.
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From the Big Bang to Planet X
Terence Dickinson, Canada's leading astronomy writer, distills 30 years of speaking and writing about the universe into the 50 most asked questions and their answers.
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The Stars: A New Way To See Them
Astronomy is a passion for some, a hobby for others, but with H.A. Rey's book in hand, even a novice can find and enjoy the majestic constellations in the night sky.
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A Live Action History of Lois Lane
Lois Lane has always needed saving by the Man of Steel. She debuted with Big Blue in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and has been getting pushed out of windows ever since.
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The Animated History of Lois Lane
Lois Lane has always needed saving by the Man of Steel. She debuted with Big Blue in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and has been getting pushed out of windows ever since.
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Book Review: The Dragons of Eden
Although it is over 30 years old, The Dragons of Eden still works well as a primer on the evolution of human intelligence and how human and animal brains work.
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Richard Dawkins' Blind Watchmaker
In 1986, The Blind Watchmaker laid out the evolutionary foundations that give our natural world the appearance of design. Two decades later, the book still holds up.
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The Early History of Lois Lane
Lois Lane has always needed saving by the Man of Steel. She debuted with Big Blue in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and has been getting pushed out of windows ever since.
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Ace the Bat-Hound on Television
Ace the Bat-Hound debuted in the comics at almost the same time as Krypto, Superboy's dog. Ace didn't have any powers, but he helped the Dynamic Duo sniff out clues.
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Krypto the Superdog on Television
Created in 1955 as a pet for Superboy, Krypto didn't get a shot at television fame until the 1960's. Since then he has made a number of appearances on television.
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The Teen Titans on Television
Created in the mid 1960's, the Teen Titans have showed up on tv screens in various versions ever since. Sidekicks they may be, but they're the best sidekicks around.
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A Modern Animated History of Robin
Partner to arguably the most famous crime fighter in the world, Robin is most often seen alongside his mentor. The most well known sidekick ever, he gets screen time.
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Animated Robin in the Seventies
Partner to arguably the most famous crime fighter in the world, Robin is most often seen alongside his mentor. The most well known sidekick ever, he gets screen time.
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A Live Action History of Robin
Partner to arguably the most famous crime fighter in the world, Robin is most often seen alongside his mentor. The most well known sidekick ever, he gets screen time.
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A History of Cyborg on Television
Created in 1980 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Victor Stone is part man, part machine. A minor character in the comics, he is usually seen as part of the Teen Titans.
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A Short History of the Atom
Ray Palmer uses his control over his size and weight to become the tiny hero known as the Atom. Despite his diminutive size, he has been a large presence on television.
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A Brief History of Black Canary
Using her trademark Canary Cry, Dinah Lance fights crime in fishnets and a leather jacket. This combination of fashion sense and attitude work well on television.
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A Short History of the Huntress
Daughter of a Gotham City mafia boss, Helena Bertinelli took her life in a whole different direction, donning a cape and a mask to fight crime as the Huntress.
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A Live Action History of the Flash
Since 1967, either as the Flash or Kid Flash and sometimes both, Barry Allen. Wally West and Bart Allen have had been speeding across television screens.
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An Animated History of the Flash
Since 1967, either as the Flash or Kid Flash and sometimes both, Barry Allen. Wally West and Bart Allen have had been speeding across television screens.
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A Short History of the Flash
Since 1967, either as the Flash or Kid Flash and sometimes both, Barry Allen. Wally West and Bart Allen have had been speeding across television screens.
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A History of Hawkman on Television
The legendary Gardner Fox teamed up with artist Dennis Neville to create Hawkman in 1940. In 1967, he made his television debut and he's been flying high ever since.
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Aquaman in Live Action Appearances
Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger in 1941, Aquaman has made many appearances in animation, but live action versions have been few and far between.
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A History of Aquaman in Animation
Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger in 1941, Aquaman was among the first superheroes to leap from the static world of comic pages to Saturday morning television.
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Green Arrow in Film and Television
Robin Hood by way of Batman, Green Arrow toiled for years in relative obscurity in the comics. He got little screen time until the 21st Century. Today he's mainstream.
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The Legion of Super-Heroes on Film
The Legion of Super-Heroes was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino in 1958. The team has several animated versions and is soon to make their live action debut.
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Supergirl on Film and Television
Created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino in 1959, Supergirl blasted into the public consciousness. Surprisingly, it took her until 1984 to fly out of comics into theaters.
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Captain Marvel in Animation
Created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker, Captain Marvel was Fawcett Comics' successful answer to the phenomenon of Superman. He even beat Big Blue to the silver screen.
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Captain Marvel in Live Action
Created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker, Captain Marvel was Fawcett Comics' successful answer to the phenomenon of Superman. He even beat Big Blue to the silver screen.
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The Martian Manhunter on Film & TV
The Martian Manhunter serves a particular purpose in the Justice League, beyond using his superpowers. Like Spock on Star Trek, he sees humanity from the outside.
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Green Lantern on Film & Television
Since the Silver Age of Comics, four men have borne the emerald power ring to protect sector 2814, both on paper and on the small screen. One day he may hit theaters.
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The Animated History of Batgirl
Originally created to help dispel rumours of homosexuality in the Batcave, the Batgirl character has taken on a life, and a fan base of her own in television and film.
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The Live Action History of Batgirl
Originally created to help dispel rumours of homosexuality in the Batcave, the Batgirl character has taken on a life, and a fan base of her own in television and film.
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Notable Episodes From Classic Star Trek
Star Trek episodes are noted for suspense, drama, action and intrigue, but whether intentional or accidental, sometimes they showed something a little more interesting.
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MegoMuseum.com: Collector's Heaven
From an unlikely beginning comes the story of the World's Greatest Toy Company, documented in detail at MegoMuseum.com. The Mego Museum is the best source for collectors.
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Animated Batman in the Seventies
The recent success of The Dark Knight on the silver screen is only the latest in a long line of multimedia triumphs for the alter ego of billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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Superman's Live Action Appearances
Superman, rocketed off Krypton, crashed on Earth as a baby to grow into the greatest hero in history. The Last Son of Krypton also rocketed off the page into every media.
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A History of Superman in Animation
Superman, rocketed off Krypton, crashed on Earth as a baby to grow into the greatest hero in history. The Last Son of Krypton also rocketed off the page into every media.
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The Early History of Superman
Superman, rocketed off Krypton, crashed on Earth as a baby to grow into the greatest hero in history. The Last Son of Krypton also rocketed off the page into every media.
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The Modern History of Wonder Woman
Created as the embodiment of modern woman, Wonder Woman has stood for over sixty years as an icon of feminine power and a symbol of female empowerment.
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The Early History of Wonder Woman
Created as the embodiment of modern woman, Wonder Woman has stood for over sixty years as an icon of feminine power and a symbol of female empowerment.
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The Live Action History of the JLA
The Justice League of America gathers the greatest heroes in the DC Universe onto one team. That team has appeared in more than just the static pages of comic books.
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The Animated History of the JLA
The Justice League of America gathers the greatest heroes in the DC Universe onto one team. That team has appeared in more than just the static pages of comic books.
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The Recent History of Batman
The recent success of The Dark Knight on the silver screen is only the latest in a long line of multimedia triumphs for the alter ego of billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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The Early History of Batman
The recent success of The Dark Knight on the silver screen is only the latest in a long line of multimedia triumphs for the alter ego of billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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How To Finish RPG Miniatures
With a steady hand, good eyes (or a good magnifier) and a passion for detail, metal miniatures can add colour and life to role playing or simply be displayed and enjoyed.
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How To Drybrush RPG Miniatures
With a steady hand, good eyes (or a good magnifier) and a passion for detail, metal miniatures can add colour and life to role playing or simply be displayed and enjoyed.
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How To Apply Paint to RPG Figures
With a steady hand, good eyes (or a good magnifier) and a passion for detail, metal miniatures can add colour and life to role playing or simply be displayed and enjoyed.
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How To Ready RPG Figures For Paint
With a steady hand, good eyes (or a good magnifier) and a passion for detail, metal miniatures can add colour and life to role playing or simply be displayed and enjoyed.
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How to Set Up to Paint RPG Figures
With a steady hand, good eyes (or a good magnifier) and a passion for detail, metal miniatures can add colour and life to role playing or simply be displayed and enjoyed.
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LOST, Season 1, Episode 1 Recap
Open on Jack's eye. Stay on Jack's eye as he realizes that he survived falling out of a plane, some 30,000 feet into this bamboo grove. Cue Vincent, bearer of bad news.
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Book Review: Your Inner Fish
Neil Shubin, anatomy professor at the University of Chicago,takes "A Journey Into The 3.5 Billion Year History Of The Human Body", bringing the reader along for the ride.
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Comic Books Made for Television
Few comic books have translated well to television. Smallville is an exception, yet shows from the same creative team have failed. Are comics and television a bad fit?
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Marvel Comics Movies
Marvel Comics has great characters that belong on the big screen outside the crop of movies already out or on the way. Marvel Studios should look beyond The Avengers.
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DC Comics Movies
DC Comics has a vast stable of characters that belong on the silver screen. Batman and Superman have their franchises, but it's time that other DC properties break out.
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The Genius and Magic of Alex Ross
Alex Ross, the artist behind ground-breaking graphic novels like Kingdom Come and Justice, shares his tips, technique and his love of all things DC Comics in Mythology.
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Winning Pascal's Wager
Philosopher Blaise Pascal famously suggested that believing in God was the best default position, since it would allow at least a chance of entrance into the afterlife.
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Do Atheists Really Just Hate God?
It is a common misconception among the faithful that atheists are simply believers who have grown so angry with God that they turn their backs on their faith. Not so.
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First Avenger: Captain America
Iron Man 2 and Captain America directors are signed and Robert Downey Jr. is set for both Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. Marvel Studios is on a roll towards summer, 2011.
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Common Myths about Atheism
The term "atheist" has a negative connotation for many. This blanket term for non-believers is laden with baggage. What is widely attributed to atheists is often wrong.
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