Cyberspace Comics market report, reviews and more

September 6, 2011

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #75 Megaton

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 6:34 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.

Megaton is one of those truly influential and important indy titles. The lead feature was an afrocentric hero named Megaton by Gary Carlson & Mike Gustovich. There were many back-up features in the series, which could almost be called an anthology. Carlson’s Berzerker was illustrated by Angel Medina (early in his career), underground artist Grass Green provided Wildman strips and Rob Liefeld debuted the look of Youngblood (years before #1 was published by Image). Erik Larsen debuted his Vanguard character in a strip that went on to introduce many other characters that he’d later use including Mighty Man and the Savage Dragon. Although the Dragon debuted in an issue #2 cameo, his first main (and cover) appearance took place in issue #3.

Megaton #3
Megaton #3
February 1986
Erik Larsen
Savage Dragon Archives #3
Savage Dragon Archives #3
December 1998
Erik Larsen
PvP vol. II #11
PvP vol. II #11
September 2004
Scott Kurtz

On Ebay: Megaton | Savage Dragon
On AtomicAvenue: Savage Dragon | Megaton

September 5, 2011

One-Shot At Greatness #75 Wolverine/Deadpool: Decoy

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 8:10 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!

Wolverine/Deadpool: the Decoy #1Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: September 2011
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artist: Shawn Crystal

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

A dilpadiated Shi’ar Stalker is loose on Earth, searching for Jean Grey and killing everything in its path. Luckily for the city of Albuquerque, Wolverine is there to intercept the menacing robot. But, even the ferocious X-Man can’t subdue the automaton because it keeps teleporting a few feet away before he can destroy it. So, Logan sets out to find someone strong enough to withstand the robot’s attack and crazy enough to enjoy being the decoy … Deadpool, of course! But, when even that plan doesn’t work, the boys come up with a new idea: if the Stalker wants Jean Grey … it’s Jean Grey he’ll get!

Despite starting off with Wolverine, this is certainly a goofy, Deadpool story at it’s heart. Serious Wolverine and X-Men fans probably won’t enjoy the tale too much but, if you’re one of those irreverent Deadpool fans, seeing him in the Jean Grey costume alone might just be worth the price of admission. And, on top of that, there’s a back-up feature that reprints a Deadpool team-up with the Great Lakes Avengers.

On Ebay: Wolverine | Deadpool | Stuart Moore
On AtomicAvenue: Strong Guy | Wolverine | Deadpool

September 1, 2011

Famous Fanmail #74 Mike Friedrich

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 9:29 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”!

Mike Friedrich wrote plenty of comics during the bronze age for both Marvel and DC. He had runs on Batman, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Justice League of America, Ka-Zar and many other titles including a nearly-three-year run on Iron Man. He got a letter printed in Fantastic Four #31 (cover date – October 1964). In the letter he proposes a question that’s been asked for decades since – “Why do super-heroes have to fight every time they bump into each other?”

Fantastic Four letters page with Mike Friedrich

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Mike Friedrich
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four

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