I've never designed a Threadless t-shirt.

Exactly. :-)

I appropriated a copy this evening. The three-page table of contents roughly appears on pages 50, 100, and 150.

You've inspired me. I'm going to get to work on a best "Mars Attacks" fan art list ASAP.

Is "exploit" a negative word? These definitions certainly don't seem negative:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS211US213&defl=en&q=define:exploit&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

-use or manipulate to one's advantage
-draw from; make good use of; "we must exploit the resources we are given wisely"

I would add, the reason I (and I'd wager most others) find this image appealing is because it's a parody of one of the most famous works of art in history. Not because we view it as a religious attack. I'm simply unaware of a similar well-known work of art, related to Islam, that could be parodied in some way that wasn't clearly meant as an attack on Islam.

"It is quite telling that the lampooners wouldn’t dare try the same thing with an image of Mohammed (considered by Islam adherents a prophet, not a deity). Reason? They are scared about how devout Moslems might express their displeasure. Lesson? It’s only OK to mock someone’s religion if you can be reasonably sure they are non-violent."

Is there a famous painting of Mohammed that could be lampooned? I don't think lampooners across the world are afraid of making a parody of such an image. Rather, there's no such image to parody.

"I found the photo you see above here, and posted it because frankly the luxury lederhosen are a big letdown."

In other words, I thought the diamond lederhosen story was interesting, and the Vader in lederhosen photo funny.

One of the charming aspects of the Thursday Next books is that Londoners are violently passionate about Shakespeare. It never occurred to me Fforde wasn't embellishing...

Yes, and the DoubleFine website was recently redone. A nice excuse to go visit.

Send me a line if you buy it, I'd like to hear another review before ordering it.

If you enjoyed that, check out the other Watchmen stuff I've blogged about in the past, like "Who Watches The Washmen", The Watchmen Rocky & Bullwinkle style etc etc.

http://superpunch.blogspot.com/search?q=watchmen

Christopher, The Watchmen is one of the most famous comic books of all time, and currently being turned into a movie.

"No-prize" on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-Prize

(Although I do something a bit different...)

No cookie, but I'm certainly impressed.

:-)

Don't spoil it for the next no-prize winner.