Every time I think I’ve come up with something really bizarre, history beats me without even trying.

But Lincoln is the exception to that rule. He was a complex figure, and certainly more than the cardboard cut-out we were all taught to worship in elementary school. But if anything, his humanity and his failings make him even more mythic and more heroic. Despite tragedy, poverty, depression and repeated failure, he was able to become President of the United States at its most crucial junction. He overcame the political machinations of his enemies and even his allies to maintain his vision of a more perfect union. And he kept the promise that the Founding Fathers made when they penned the words, “All men are created equal.”

To put this in perspective:  Imagine a 9/11 every week, only there’s no Al-Qaeda behind them — just other Americans, brutally killing one another. That was the Civil War. It seems impossible that anyone could envision a return to one nation after such repeated, bloody atrocities. But that’s just what Lincoln did. And he believed in it enough to fight for it, when everyone told him he was wrong, and he would fail. He had a courage that is unmatched, and nearly unimaginable.

The blood of Lincoln is what binds my protagonist, Cade, to his duty and to America despite his worst instincts. His voice echoes through the books — quite literally in the third installment, coming up. That’s not just a neat little literary trick. There would be no nation for us to complain and argue about today without Lincoln’s sacrifice and, more importantly, his faith in us. He believed we could come back from the brink of absolute horror — and be stronger for it.

Superhero? Superhero is almost too small a word.

And now I know what I want for my birthday.

• The wonderful writer Elizabeth Hand has some really great things to say about THE PRESIDENT’S VAMPIRE in this month’s Fantasy and Science Fiction. Also, you should buy her upcoming book, AVAILABLE DARK.
• Iceberg Ink was nice enough to name BLOOD OATH “Best Old Book Read 2011.” Better late than never, I say. Thanks, Scott.
• The paperback edition of THE PRESIDENT’S VAMPIRE is now available for pre-order. (Of course, you can also order the hardback, which is actually cheaper right now. Go figure.) It hits the stands March 27 and includes a sneak preview of the third book in the series, RED, WHITE, AND BLOOD, which will be available April 26, 2012.

But it’s all there waiting for you, yeah you.”

It’s going to be 77 degrees today in Los Angeles, and the sky is so blue it would be easy to make the mistake that I’m living right just because of where I chose to live. It would be easy to descend into cynicism and cheap jokes about climate change, the upcoming election and the Mayan Apocalyptic Zombie attacks scheduled for 2012.

But I’m just going to take the sunshine and say thanks. And in that spirit, I offer Woody Guthrie’s New Year’s Resolutions. If you’re stuck for ideas, you could do a lot worse. (Via BoingBoing.)

You better be good, for goodness’ sake. Seriously. Santa throws a mean right hook.

Here’s hoping you all got everything you wanted.

From the incomparable brain of Jack Kirby, via Chris Sims.

Merry Christmas to all. See you in the new year.

Well, yes, Cap, as a matter of fact, we are.

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone.