While walking through the bookstore just yesterday, I came across one of those turning wire racks. In it, among the "How-to-Draw Manga" and sticker story books I came across an X-men coloring book. Being the near fanatic dork that I am (I say near fanatic because only one character really interests me at all.), I picked it up and flipped through it looking for Nightcrawler. 

There was no Nightcrawler. It made me sad.

But quite frankly, the thing that disturbed me most was the massive quantity of ACTIVITIES in that little 22 page book. Connect the dots, cut out the masks, help who's-her-face get to what's-it's-place, match Mr. Buff with his weapon because he lost it... really, who CARES? As a kid, I know I couldn't care less about the activities in a coloring book- The draw-your-own activities once in awhile, but there were never many of those anyway. But what kid wants to spend her (or his, you politically correct Nazis) time coloring in a picture, only to butcher it cutting out a flimsy mask? I never saw the point in it. Not even as a bratling. Why do the manufacturers of coloring books insist on putting these pointless little activities in there?! Dammit, when I buy a coloring book, I want to color! Am I the only one who cares about this?!

Yes, you are, Shawna. Get a life.