Cyberspace Comics market report, reviews and more

June 16, 2011

Famous Fanmail #63 Kurt Busiek

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 12:33 pm

You may not be surprised to learn that most people in the comic business grew up reading comic books. However, you might be interested in knowing what they were reading. Here’s a look at “Famous Fanmail”!

Here’s another letter from Kurt Busiek, creator of Astro City. This letter was printed in Machine Man #13 (cover date: February 1980). I completely agree with his analysis of the original Kirby-version of Machine Man. Kirby had our hero, Aaron Stack, developing all kinds of abilities to get out of whatever jam he was in. Way too powerful and certainly needed his abilities reduced in order to make him more “relatable”.

Machine Man letters page with Kurt Busiek

On Ebay: Machine Man | Kurt Busiek
On AtomicAvenue: Machine Man

June 15, 2011

Before They Were Comic Book Stars #10 Stuart Immonen

Filed under: Before They Were (Comic Book) Stars — Doorman @ 2:19 pm

Not every comic writer or artist starts at the top, working on books like Batman or X-Men. In fact, most don’t even start at Marvel or DC. Here’s a look at some work by comic book creators … before they were stars.

Headcheese #2 by Stuart ImmonenStuart Immonen is a comic book artist best known for his work on Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, Adventures of Superman, and his collaboration with Warren Ellis on Nextwave. But, before breaking into mainstream comics, he self-published an independent anthology entitled Headcheese. He called the publisher One Horse Leadworks and it featured work by him, Kathryn Kuder (who he later married) and others. I’ve never seen issue #1 or #3 but I have recently come across issue #2. It was published in 1988 and limited to a print run of only 250!

On Ebay: Stuart Immonen
On AtomicAvenue: Headcheese

June 14, 2011

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #63 Avengers

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 1:58 pm

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

The Secret Invasion tie-ins were filled with classic cover swipes. This one looks back to the first appearance of Hank Pym (who later became Ant-Man and then Giant-Man and then Goliath and then Yellowjacket). Not good enough for you? He also helped create the Wasp and Ultron. Oh! And, he was a founding member of the Avengers.

Tales to Astonish #27
Tales to Astonish #27
January 1962
Jack Kirby
Mighty Avengers #17
Mighty Avengers #17
October 2008
Aleksi Briclot with Marko Djurdjevic

On Ebay: Avengers | Ant-Man | Secret Invasion
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | Secret Invasion | Tales to Astonish

June 13, 2011

One-Shot At Greatness #63 Hawkeye

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 8:57 am

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman #1Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: October 1998
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Artist: Jeff Johnson, Dave Ross, Mark Bagley

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Augusta Seger comes to Avengers Mansion for help and recruits Hawkeye to stop a destructive computer virus from falling into the wrong hands. However, once they get back to her office, Hawkeye discovers that it was all a ruse and is attacked by Batroc the Leaper, Machete and Zaran. He makes short work of the trio and returns to the Mansion.

With the help of Junior Avengers, Justice and Firestar, Hawkeye tries to find Seger. Their first stop is the jail that Batroc is being kept in. But, this is just another set up. This time, the trio comes under attack by Oddball and other thugs. But, they’re certainly no match for our heroes.

Finally, Firestar discovers that Seger is a renowned biologist that has fallen out of favor with the scientific community. She now goes by the “colorful” name, Albino … and she wants to set up a meeting. Once our heroes get to the meeting spot, they’re attacked by the mastermind behind all of these events, the Taskmaster! Unsatisfied with his ability to mimic the movements of anyone he observes, the Albino has now given him the power to mimic any super power he has seen. But, even still, he’s not powerful enough to defeat three Avengers.

As a Hawkeye fan, I welcome any solo title Marvel is willing to give him but, I’ve rarely been overly impressed with any of them. Unfortunately, this issue doesn’t differ from the trend. Sure, there’s plenty of action to be had … but where’s the characterization? And, Hawkeye doesn’t even deliver the final victory – it’s Justice that gets that claim. And Oddball? The master juggler super-villain? Really?!

Note: This issue takes place just before Avengers vol. III #7

On Ebay: Hawkeye | Tom DeFalco
On AtomicAvenue: Hawkeye

June 11, 2011

Minimate Spotlight #56 Thing

Filed under: Minimate Spotlight — Donny B @ 8:49 pm

Action figures have long been a perfect compliment to comic books, since every kid (or kid at heart) has that natural desire to act out adventures with their favorite heroes off the drawn page. Every so often, a unique style of figure comes along that breaks the mold, so to speak. Each Saturday, Donny B will be showcasing various offerings from Art Asylum’s take on the ‘block figure’, with a weekly spotlight on Minimates.

Benjamin J. Grimm, A.K.A. “The Ever Lovin Blue-Eyed Thing” has had many Minimate incarnations over the years. From the very basic Minimate body, to power-house chest pieces, to all-out sculpted parts completely covering the Minimate body, Thing has been given all the different style treatments that Art Asylum have implemented over the years. This week, we’re taking a look at one of the very first releases Minimate collectors were given – ‘Clobberin Time Thing’

Behind the Image:

This was a simple photograph, just like the Picard and Steel photos from previous posts – just a Minimate in front of a computer screen. No photoshop work required.

On Ebay: Thing | Fantastic Four
On AtomicAvenue: Thing | Fantastic Four

June 10, 2011

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #12

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 12:11 pm

Marvel Comics Presents launched in 1988 as an ad-free anthology showcasing four eight-page features, stuffed inside a wrap-around cover. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!


Marvel Comics Presents #12
Cover Date: Early February 1989 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Ron Frenz


Colossus in “God’s Country” part 3
written by Ann Nocenti
art by Rick Leonardi

 
Colossus takes on the three super-powered thugs in the park and then escapes with the family who’s son was a witness to the original attack. They turn to the police for help but, when Colossus gets a suspicious feeling about the police, they run off to their country home and hide out.

Man-Thing in “Elements of Terror” conclusion
written by Steve Gerber
art by Tom Sutton

 
The mutated Colonel Choate, the monstrous Super Soldier experiments and the other members of the government conspiracy all come head to head in the big blow out! The strong, negative emotions inspired by the confrontation draw the Man-Thing to the scene and cost Choate an arm, in the final battle.

Hercules in “Noble Fathers Have Noble Sons
written by Chris Henderson
art by Don Heck

 
J. Jonah Jameson promises Lynch a life-time job at the Daily Bugle if he can write an article that captures a super-hero looking bad or misbehaving. The seemingly easiest target? Hercules! Heavy drinker, woman-chaser, and teller of tale tales. However, after following him around for a day, Lynch catches Herc in an act that preserves justice! Now, our reporter’s got to decide whether to make Herc’s actions appear worse than intended … or forego the job by taking the righteous approach.

Namorita in “Spring Break
written by Scott Lobdell
art by Frank Springer

 
After coming face to face with New York’s ugly side, Namorita decides to take a mental-vacation by returning to her home city of Atlantis. But, upon arriving home, she discovers that Atlantis has its own slums, just as New York does. While there, she comes under attack by the School (Crab, Mussels, Squid, and Seaweed), who rule over the Atlantean slums. After defeating the villains, Arkus and the Alantean army shows up to “save the day” but, Namorita doesn’t feel that their approach to the problem is the right way, either.

After twelve chapters, the Man-Thing story draws to a close. While I certainly appreciate Sutton’s monstrous art and Gerber’s attempt to attach some of the story to the muck monster’s origin – in the end, there was just way too much going on that was all too loosely tied together. It didn’t quite seem like a Man-Thing story so much as it felt like a story guest-starring the Man-Thing. I much prefer J.M. DeMatteis’ take on the character.

Both the Hercules and Namorita features are great illustrations of how to handle the single-feature format. They’re quick, little stories that show some great characterization. However, in this case, I’ve got to hand the biggest kudos over to the Herc story since the Namorita tale seems to fall back upon the standard hero vs super-villains story element that wasn’t needed to prove the point.

Finally, the front cover reminds me of those classic Silver Age, double-feature books like Tales of Suspense and Tales to Astonish. Gotta love nostalgia!

On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Colossus | Man-Thing | Hercules | Namorita
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Colossus | Man-Thing | Machine Man | Hercules

June 9, 2011

Famous Fanmail #62 Kurt Busiek

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 8:24 am

You may not be surprised to learn that most people in the comic business grew up reading comic books. However, you might be interested in knowing what they were reading. Here’s a look at “Famous Fanmail”!

Kurt Busiek wrote one of the coolest, most continuity-heavy epics ever: Avengers Forever. Here he is praising Marvel’s new (at the time) series. This letter was printed in Shogun Warriors #6 (cover date: July 1979).

Shogun Warriors letters page with Kurt Busiek

On Ebay: Shogun Warriors | Kurt Busiek
On AtomicAvenue: Shogun Warriors

June 8, 2011

Covers in Motion #3 Machine Man

Filed under: Covers in Motion — Doorman @ 7:22 am

Comics are a visually static medium but, they can also provide a fluid visual through a combination of images. Here’s a look at some covers that fit well together to create a story of their own.

The covers of Machine Man’s second series combine beautifully to show him being assembled.

Machine Man

On Ebay: Machine Man
On AtomicAvenue: Machine Man

June 7, 2011

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #62 Avengers

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 11:16 am

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

The Secret Invasion tie-ins were filled with classic cover swipes. This one looks back to the first appearance of Elektra.

Daredevil #168
Daredevil #168
January 1981
Frank Miller
Mighty Avengers #16
Mighty Avengers #16
September 2008
Marko Djurdjevic

On Ebay: Avengers | Daredevil | Secret Invasion
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | Secret Invasion | Daredevil

June 6, 2011

One-Shot At Greatness #62 Siege: the Cabal

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 9:28 am

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Siege: the Cabal #1Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: February 2010
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Lark

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Some of the big bad guys of the Marvel Universe have a meeting that reminds me a lot of their get-togethers from the Acts of Vengeance crossover. But, this time around, they’re even less friendly, as Doctor Doom is demanding that Norman Osborn turn Namor over to him. Now, at this point in Marvel’s continuity, Osborn’s amassed quite a bit of power and is head of H.A.M.M.E.R. (his version of S.H.I.E.L.D.). That power, coupled with his maniacal Green Goblin persona, leads him to turn down Doom’s demand (which is not something one should do, lightly). In response, Doom releases a swarm of insect-sized dangerous robots upon Osborn and his compatriots.

After the swarming menace was defeated, Osborn turned his attention towards Asgard (which was hovering over Oklahoma, at the time). But, once again, he was met with adversity. This time, the President of the U.S. declined Osborn’s request to launch an attack on the “invading” Asgard. Finally, he and Loki decide that an incident will have to be engineered to initiate public outcry against Asgard.

For a one-shot prequel, there’s a lot going on here. Initially, the interaction between Osborn and Doom, was handled very well. Bendis has a keen ear for dialogue and he also demonstrates a strong understanding of both of these characters. For the action lovers out there, the middle of the book appeals to you as the Dark Avengers take on Doom’s tech-swarm. And, finally, you criminal masterminds and 9/11 Truthers will get a kick out of Loki and Osborn planning to orchestrate an incident to inspire national pride and xenophobia.

On Ebay: Siege | Brian Bendis
On AtomicAvenue: Siege

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress