With the invocation of Hitler, this entire blog is invalidated.

Articles I read.Thought you might find them interesting.

Coco Chanel’s links to the Nazi occupiers of France:

But Chanel was unequivocal. She decided to place herself snugly in the enemy’s bosom, conveniently near to her shop. After the Paris invasion she fled to the country, but returned a year later to demand back her room at the Ritz, which had been commandeered by the Germans. There, aged 56, she shacked up with von Dincklage, a German playboy officer 13 years her junior, who may have been a spy and was known frivolously as “Spatz” or sparrow.

Horizontal Collaborators: the Brothels of Occupied France. Not safe for work pic.

The Nazis published an official guide to the houses, with guards posted outside the major ones when senior Nazis such as Goering were visiting.

Fees paid to the madams in charge were some of the highest in the history of the sex industry, with single visits often costing the equivalent of a senior officer’s weekly pay.

More than that, all visitors were encouraged to bring champagne, chocolates and cigarettes for their favourite girls, to maintain a sense of decorum in places which, on the surface at least, could project the image of a gentlemen’s club.

Awful Adolph up close in a Life Magazine photo essay.

Hitler’s Holocaust Helpers:

What led Romanian dictator Ion Antonescu and his generals, soldiers, civil servants and farmers to murder 200,000 Jews (and possibly twice that many) “of their own accord,” as historian Armin Heinen puts it. Why did Baltic death squadrons commit murder on German orders in Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine? And why did German Einsatzgruppen — paramilitary “intervention groups” operated by the SS — have such an easy time encouraging the non-Jewish population to wage pogroms between Warsaw and Minsk?

Touching tale of lost love on the eve of D-Day.

Now 81, Monica remembers her first sighting of the U.S. servicemen, newly arrived in Wiltshire. She says: ‘They were the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division and they were nicknamed the Screaming Eagles after the bird of prey embroidered on their arm badge.

And, though we didn’t realise at the time, they were the elite. They had to undergo incredibly rigorous training, both mentally and physically. It broke those who were not up to it.

‘They were slim and fit and had flat-top crew cuts. And, of course, they were all so smart. Even the privates looked like officers in their beautifully tailored uniforms, cut from fine cloth which made the rough serge of my dad’s Home Guard uniform look homespun.’

16 July 2009 (Berkeley, CA) – Image Comics, the world’s greatest creator owned comic book publisher, returns to San Diego with a bigger guest list than ever before and exclusives galore, all available at booth #2729!

In addition to a slate of panels including an unprecedented Image Comics workshop on creating creator owned comics, spotlights on Mike Allred & Robert Kirkman and their annual Image Comics Show featuring the company’s most massive announcements of the year, Image will also feature a very special Image United signing event on Saturday at 10 AM, the only signing featuring all seven members of the crossover’s creative team including Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), Todd McFarlane (Haunt), Marc Silvestri (Top Cow Pilot Season 2009), Whilce Portacio (Fortress) and Jim Valentino (ShadowHawk).

Throughout the weekend the Image Island will include booths showcasing Image Central, Todd McFarlane Productions and Shadowline with a pantheon of creators including Mike Allred (Madman Atomic Comics), Glen Brunswick (Jersey Gods), Camilla d’Errico (Sky Pirates of Neo Terra), Greg Epinoza (Pug), Tyrese Gibson (Mayhem!), Kieron Gillen (Phonogram), Rob Guillory (Chew), Phil Hester (Firebreather, Darkness), Greg Horn (The Art of Greg Horn), Jason Howard (The Astounding Wolf-Man), Andy Kuhn (Firebreather), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), John Layman (Chew), Mike Le (Mayhem!), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), David Mack (Kabuki), Derek McCulloch (Pug, Stagger Lee), Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram, Suburban Glamour), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), the crew behind Image’s Harvey award-winning anthology PopGun, Cliff Rathburn (Invincible, Walking Dead), Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen), Tone Rodriguez (Mayhem!), Jon Sommariva (Gemini), Kris Simon (Bruce The Little Blue Spurce), Andy Suriano (Charlatan Ball), Josh Wagner (Sky Pirates of Neo Terra) Will Wilson (Mayhem!) and Jim Valentino (ShadowHawk). In addition, there will also be an exclusive first look at Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman’s long-awaited collaboration, Haunt, available from Todd McFarlane Productions!

There will also be special signing appearances by Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows), Marco Cinello (Soul Kiss), Alex Grecian (Proof), Sonny Liew (Liquid City), Ted McKeever (Transmet, Eddy Current, Metropol), Whilce Portacio (Fortress), Nick Spencer (Existence 2.0), Christian Ward (Olympus), Christopher Yost (Killer of Demons) and Man of Action Studios members Joe Casey (Gødland), Duncan Rouleau (The Great Unknown), Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants) & Steve Seagle (Soul Kiss) with many, many more!

Image will also once again be teaming up with the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for their annual San Diego Comic Con Welcome Party, 7:30 – 11:00 PM at the Westgate Hotel on 1055 Second Avenue. For even more fun stop by Top Cow Productions, Booth #2629, featuring a full lineup presented by the Image Comics’ partner studio run by Marc Silvestri!

Image Comics will be at booth #2729 during Comic Con International at the San Diego Convention Center, July 22nd-26th, 2009.

IMAGE COMICS

SAN DIEGO 2009 ?SCHEDULE

IMAGE UNITED

SPECIAL SIGNING EVENT

SATURDAY, JULY 25th

10:00 – 11:30 AM

Featuring the entire creative team of the upcoming blockbuster crossover in their only signing together!

Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino

PANELS

Thursday, July 23

4:30-5:30 PM Workshop – Creating Creator Owned Comics The Image Comics Way: Want to bring your own vision to comics? Learn how from the people who do it best! Join Image Founder Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk) with Image luminaries Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants), John Layman (Chew), Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen) Steven T. Seagle (Soul Kiss), and Richard Starkings (Elephantmen) for a very special, unprecedented workshop with an insider look at the creative process and tips on perfecting your pitch. This will also include a question and answer session giving you the chance to directly talk to many pros who have made their dreams their reality! Room 7AB

Friday, July 24

10:00-11:00 AM Spotlight on Mike Allred: Comic Con Special Guest Mike Allred (Madman) makes an extremely rare San Diego Comic Con appearance to discuss his entire body of work from Dead Air to Madman, Red Rocket 7 to X-Statix and his recent Image Comics series, Madman Atomic Comics. The discussion will give fans a rare look into Allred’s creative process, including never-before-seen art and a unique chance to pick the brain of one of comics’ most creative minds! Moderated by Stardust the Super Wizard collaborator Joe Keatinge (PopGun) and featuring a number of surprise guests! Room 8

11:30AM – 12:30 PM The Image Comics Show: The world’s greatest creator-owned comics publisher returns to San Diego with a flurry of announcements including an exclusive look including the biggest crossover event of the year, Image United by creators Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), and Rob Liefeld (Youngblood). In addition, Image superstars Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows), Tyrese Gibson (Mayhem) and Ben Templesmith (Fell) will give the first word on many of their upcoming projects. The Image Comics Show will be the first place to get your first sneak peek at Whilce Portacio’s superhero series emerging from Image United, Fortress! Room 5AB

4:00 – 5:00 PM KIRKAMANIA! The Robert Kirkman Panel: Join Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) for a lively discussion on his many projects and a look forward into the future with more than a few exclusive announcements! All this plus a surprise special guest appearance by Todd McFarlane (Haunt) as super secret free comics will be given away during a very special question and answer session! Room 7AB

SIGNING SCHEDULE

IMAGE UNITED

SPECIAL SIGNING EVENT

SATURDAY, JULY 25th

10:00 – 11:30 AM

Featuring the entire creative team of the upcoming blockbuster crossover in their only signing together!

Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino

Wednesday, July 22nd

6:00 – 9:00 PM: Jim Valentino & Kris Simon (Bruce The Little Blue Spruce) – Shadowline?

Thursday, July 23rd

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Jim Valentino & Kris Simon (Bruce the Little Blue Spruce) – Shadowline

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Dave Elliot (Fallout Toy Works, Sharkman) & Steve Pugh (Sharkman) – Table 1

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Steven Grant & Victor Riches (The Safest Place) – Table 2

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen, Evil & Malice, T. Runt!) – Shadowline

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows) – Table 1

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Kat Cahill (I Hate Gallant Girl, All Girl Comics) – Shadowline

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Sean Lapacek, Ian Keiser & Joseph Weisman (Lillim) – Table 1

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Nat Jones (Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer) – Table 2

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Joshua Williamson & Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula, Overlook, Johnny Monster) – Shadowline

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Joe Casey & Andy Suriano (Charlatan Ball) — Table 1

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) – Table 2

3:00 – 4:30 PM: Sonny Liew (Liquid City) – Table 1

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Alex Grecian (Proof) – Table 2

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Jeff Mariotte (Zombie Cop, Graveslinger) – Shadowline

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Nick Spencer & Kris Simon (Existence 2.0) – Shadowline

4:30 – 5:30 PM: Viktor Kalvachev & Philo Northrup (Pherone) – Table 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Joshua Williamson & Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula, Overlook, Johnny Monster) – Shadowline

5:30 – 6:30 PM: Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms) – Table 1

6:00 – 7:00 PM – Lisa Chase & S. Struble (Lil Depressed Boy, Existence 2.0) – Shadowline

Friday, July 24th

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Dave Elliot & Steve Pugh (Sharkman) – Table 1

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Alex Grecian (Proof) – Table 2

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen, Evil & Malice, T. Runt!) – Shadowline

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Viktor Kalvachev & Philo Northrup (Pherone) – Table 1

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms) – Table 2

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Mike Dolce & Marcus Perry (Descendant) – Shadowline

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Nat Jones (Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer) – Table 1

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Steven Grant & Victor Riches (The Safest Place) – Table 2

12:30 – 2:00 PM: Nick Spencer (Existence 2.0) – Shadowline

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Todd McFarlane (Spawn) – Table 1

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants, Bad Dog) – Table 1

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Ted McKeever (Transit, Metropol, Eddy Current) – Shadowline

2:30 – 4:30 PM: Sonny Liew (Liquid City) – Table 2

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows) – Table 1

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Pander Brothers (Tasty Bullet, Accelerate) – Shadowline

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Sean Lapacek, Ian Keiser & Joseph Weisman (Lillim) – Table 1

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Jimmie Robinson & Derek McCulloch (T. Runt!) – Shadowline

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Christian Ward (Olympus) – Table 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Gabriel Hardman & Corrina Bechko (Heathentown) – Shadowline

6:00 – 7:00 PM: KIRKAMANIA!: Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jason Howard (Astounding Wolf-Man), Cliff Rathburn (The Walking Dead), Cory Walker (Invincible) – Table 1

6:00 – 7:00 PM: Joshua Williamson & Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula) – Shadowline

Saturday, July 25th

10:00 – 11:30 AM: Image United Special Event: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri & Jim Valentino

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Kat Cahill (I Hate Gallant Girl)

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Nat Jones (Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer) – Table 1

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms) – Table 2

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen, Evil & Malice, T. Runt!) – Shadowline

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Chris Yost (Killer of Demons) – Table 1

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Christian Ward (Olympus) – Table 2

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Nick Spencer (Existence 2.0), Mike Dolce & Marcus Perry (Descendant) – Shadowline

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Steven T. Seagle & Marco Cinello (Soul Kiss) – Table 1

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Josh Williamson & Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula) – Shadowline

2:30 – 4:30 PM: Sonny Liew (Liquid City) – Table 2

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Justin & Bethany Shady (The Roberts, Missing the Boat, Lava is a Floor, I Beg Your Pardon) – Shadowline

3:30 – 5:00 PM: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Ottley, Robert Kirkman (Haunt) – Table 1

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko (Heathentown) – Shadowline

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Alex Grecian (Proof) – Table 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Steven Grant & Victor Riches (The Safest Place) – Table 2

6:00 – 7:00 PM: Viktor Kalvachev & Philo Northrup (Pherone) – Table 1

6:00 – 7:00 PM: Jim Valentino & Kris Simon (Bruce the Little Blue Spruce) – Shadowline

Sunday, July 26th

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Jeff Mariotte (Zombie Cop, Graveslinger) – Shadowline

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms) – Table 1

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Justin Shady (The Roberts, Missing the Boat, Lava is a Floor, I Beg Your Pardon) – Shadowline

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Mike Dolce & Marcus Perry (Descendant) – Shadowline

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Steven Grant & Victor Riches (The Safest Place) – Table 1

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Josh Williamson & Vinny Navarrete (Dear Dracula) – Shadowline

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Duncan Rouleau (The Great Unknown) – Table 1

2:00 – 3:00 PM: Nick Spencer (Existence 2.0) – Shadowline

2:30 – 4:30 PM: Sonny Liew (Liquid City) – Table 2

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Christian Ward (Olympus) – Table 1

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Derek McCulloch & Jimmie Robinson (T. Runt!) – Shadowline

4:00 – 5:00 PM: Jim Valentino & Kris Simon (Bruce the Little Blue Spruce) – Shadowline