I hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend, and that the return to work isn't too jarring for you. Celebrating truth, justice and the American way (that means barbecuing, right?) is tons more fun than sitting in the office.

But don't let go of that patriotic fervor yet. I want to get back to our roots with a little comic book revival -- although for some of us, it's less revival and more of a revelation. Whether it's rifling through your old Marvel and DC comics, checking out that gorgeous graphic novel, or dragging your friends out to the dozens of comic adaptations that are popping up in theaters lately, it's clear that comic books aren't just kid stuff.

Speaking of kid stuff, whatever happened to the Saturday morning X-men cartoons? Talk about good role models for our youth! Much better than that soggy trilogy they unleashed on us at the movies recently. So join me in celebrating (or mocking) comics this week, whether you read them 20 years or 20 minutes ago.