Doorman « Cyberspace Comics

April 7, 2011

Famous Fanmail #53 Ralph Macchio

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 6:46 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”!

Comic book editor, Ralph Macchio , has a strong handle on Marvel continuity. In this letter he carefully considers the dangerous implications that might be caused by inserting the Eternals storyline into the Marvel Universe. This one was printed in Eternals #3 (cover date – September 1976).

Eternals letters page with Ralph Macchio

On Ebay: Eternals | Ralph Macchio
On AtomicAvenue: Eternals

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April 6, 2011

Cyberspace Comics Market Report #8 April 2011

Filed under: Cyberspace Comics Market Report — Doorman @ 9:30 am

I’ve been selling comics in my sparetime since 2002 but I only recently started selling them on a full-time basis. March 2010 was my first full month of full-time comic sales. It’s been a fun ride and it’s allowed me to continue to maintain this daily comics blog. Here’s a look back at the previous month.

Number of listings in eBay’s “comics” section: 1,519,844 (15.52% decrease from last month)
Number of those that are Cyberspace Comics listings: 7,119 (4.43% increase)
My “market share” of comic listings on eBay: .46840% (23.62% increase)

Number of eBay comic listings that are auctions: 88,779
Percentage of eBay comic listings up for auction: 5.84%

My current eBay feedback (unique): 11,134
My current eBay feedback (total): 23,259
My positive eBay feedback score: 100%

Position	Dollar Sales	# of Current Listings
First	Underground	Bad Girls (966 listings)
Second	Bad Girls	Marvel Comics (746 listings)
Third	TPBs (↑)	Image Comics (635 listings)
Fourth	Marvel Comics (↓)	Other Indies (522 listings)
Fifth	Image Comics (↑)	Magazines (450 listings)

Number of listings on Atomic Avenue: 1,319,830 (.9448% increase from last month)
Number of those that are in the Cyberspace Comics Store on Atomic Avenue: 28,162 (10.96% increase)
My “market share” of comic listings on AtomicAvenue: 2.1338% (9.92% increase)
My estimated “market share” of AtomicAvenue orders: 5.75%

This month showed a large drop in eBay listings (15.5%) which may be in response to their upcoming fee increases (actually, eBay is decreasing their fee percentage but, they are now applying it to shipping costs, as well – this will effectively raise the amount of fees they collect).

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April 5, 2011

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #53 X-Men

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 11:54 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.

New X-Men paid homage to the tough guy pose of an Uncanny X-Men comic published 20 years earlier.

Uncanny X-Men #210
October 1986
John Romita Jr.

New X-Men vol. II #25
June 2006
Mark Brooks

On Ebay: Uncanny X-Men | New X-Men
On AtomicAvenue: Uncanny X-Men | New X-Men

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April 4, 2011

One-Shot At Greatness #53 Ren & Stimpy Holiday

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 3:48 pm

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!

the Ren & Stimpy Show Holiday Special #1 Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: February 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Mike Kazaleh

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

This special an all-new framing sequence of Mr. Yak channel-surfing on Christmas Eve – flicking back and forth between Ren & Stimy “reruns”, the Muddy Mudskipper show and It’s A Wonderful Christmas Carol, Santa. The first story is reprinted from the Ren & Stimpy Show #3: In the spirit of Christmas, Ren starts working a bunch of jobs in order to save up enough money to buy Stimpy the Log he’s always wanted for Christmas. But, when he’s finally able to buy the prized Log – it’s quickly eaten by Mr. Horse! Will our duo be able to put this aside and spend a peaceful evening enjoying the things that really matter? Of course not! The second story is reprinted from the Ren & Stimpy Show #15. In this tale, Ren discovers that he’s on Santa’s dreaded naughty list! And, he’s quickly driven insane with paranoia that Santa is watching him at all times. In the final story, also from the Ren & Stimpy Show #15, our boys dress up as North Pole elves in order to get a sneak peek at all of the new Christmas toys. Too bad for them that their charade doesn’t pan out – and they soon find themselves under attack from a gun-toting, commando-ized Rudolph! They manage to get away and happen upon Santa’s Record Room. Always one to capitalize on other’s mistakes, Ren steals the files that Santa keeps on everyone and uses them for blackmail. Powdered Toast Man caught eating a competitor’s cereal! Mr. Horse in a rubber walrus protector! And you won’t believe what Ren’s got on Santa himself!

If you enjoy the madcap, lunacy of the Ren & Stimpy cartoons then you’ll surely be please with this issue – and any issue done by Dan Slott and Mike Kazaleh. Kazaleh is a perfect pick for this book – the only thing missing is a zoomed in gross-out painting – but we’ll let that slide. And, as for the writing – Slott is amazing! He captures the voices perfectly and writes them so you can easily picture cartoon voices in your head! His Ren & Stimpy stories are so good – and so similar in tone to the cartoons that it’s surprising to me that he wasn’t a writer on the show. If you’re a fan of the show – you really should read this special (and the other issues written by Slott). If you’re not … then this’ll probably just read bunch of weird nonsense.

On Ebay: Ren & Stimpy | Dan Slott | Mike Kazaleh
On AtomicAvenue: Ren & Stimpy

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April 1, 2011

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #2

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 8:28 am

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!

Cover Date: Mid September 1988 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Alex Saviuk

Wolverine in “Save the Tiger” part 2
written by Chris Claremont
art by John Buscema with Klaus Janson

The hoodlums who roughed up the Princess Bar in the last issue are now answering to their boss, local crimelord Mr. Roche. Unpleased with their performance, he’s hired a mercenary named Razorfist to complete the job they couldn’t finish – destroy the Tiger. Meanwhile, back at the Princess Bar, Logan explains to O’Donnell and Sapphire that Davis Chapel’s dying request was to have a keepsake returned to the Tiger. As the bar patrons stow their weapons and the place calms down, Logan notices someone watching him from outside the bar. He tracks her down and discovers that the girl is Jessan Hoan! (For those not in the know, Wolverine and the X-Men rescued Jessan from the Reavers in an issue of Uncanny X-Men published a few months earlier).

Man-Thing in “Elements of Terror” part 2
written by Steve Gerber
art by Tom Sutton

This issue opens up with General Selbert being questioned by Senator Wycombe as to his involvement in anti-drug initiatives in Colombia, as well as Super Soldier experiments devised by the Freedom Science Studies Institute. The Senator also asks about Project: Glamour – to which the General uneasily denies any knowledge of. Later that night, the inquisitive Senator is murdered! Meanwhile, our muck-monster protagonist continues to get used to its malformation due to contact with an experimental creature (as seen last issue).

Master of Kung Fu in “Crossing Lines” part 2
written by Doug Moench
art by Tom Grindberg with Dave Cockrum

Shang-Chi dons a new outfit and catches up with his old companions. He learns that Black Jack Tarr has taken over as leader now that Sir Denis Nayland Smith has retired to Scotland. There’s also a new member named Xiao who seems to be romantically linked with Leiko Wu, Shang-Chi’s first love. Later that night, assassins break into their home, murder Xiao and kidnap Leiko!

the Captain in “the Cold War”
by Al Milgrom

After his encounter with the Silver Surfer (last issue), the Fear-Eater has journeyed to Earth to find unique fears to feast upon. And, with its alien abilities, the extraterrestrial infiltrates the body of his next victim, the Captain (aka Steve Rogers formerly Captain America). During his latest mission, the Captain has to free people from the icy madness of a mishap at the Cryogenic Center of New York. The frozen employees conjure up memories of the Captain’s own past history – frozen in a block of ice for years and later unfrozen – left to live in a world unknown to him! These memories begin to turn into fear – the very substance that the Fear-Eater thrives upon. To stimulate more of that emotion, the alien uses his powers to animate one of the frozen employees – attacking the Captain. However, the Fear-Eater soon learns that the Captain doesn’t cave under pressure. Instead, the first inklings of fear only cause him to summon up his courage all the more to defeat the icy villain – unknowlingly driving the alien off in search of weaker prey.

Note: Razorfist, the villain in the Wolverine feature, is traditionally a villain from Master of Kung Fu.

Note from the Format Dept: this issue doesn’t utilize the wrap cover format that the first issue established.

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Famous Fanmail #52 John Van Fleet

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 8:27 am

John Van Fleet is a comic artist who’s done a number of covers, most notably for the X-Files. His style is very recognizable. He got a letter printed in Masters of the Universe #12 (cover date – March 1988).

Masters of the Universe letters page with John Van Fleet

On Ebay: Masters of the Universe | John Van Fleet
On AtomicAvenue: Masters of the Universe

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March 30, 2011

Celebrity Cameos #15 Elvis Presley

Filed under: Celebrity Cameos — Doorman @ 6:53 pm

Some of the best parts of movies like Old School and Zombieland are their unexpected celebrity cameos. The same thing happens in comics, every once in a while. Here’s a look at another Celebrity Cameo!

American Flagg vol. II #10 features a character that’s a mix between an Elvis Presley impersonator and a Catholic bishop. The cover includes even Elvis photos!

On Ebay: American Flagg
On AtomicAvenue: American Flagg

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March 29, 2011

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #52 Fantastic Four

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 3:33 pm

Thor takes on a mystery villain in this homage to the Fantastic Four‘s first battle with the Hulk. Mystery villain? Oh, who am I kidding. This book is over 20 years old … It’s Annihilus! That adds another little twist to the reasoning behind it all since Annihilus debuted in Fantastic Four Annual #6.

Fantastic Four #12
March 1963
Jack Kirby

Thor #404
June 1989
Ron Frenz

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Thor
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four | Thor

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March 28, 2011

One-Shot At Greatness #52 Curse of the Mutants – Blade

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 8:16 am

X-Men: Curse of the Mutants - Blade #1 Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: October 2010
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Dwayne Swierczynski
Artist: Tim Green

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Blade discovers that Xarus (the son of Dracula) has killed Dracula and is now slaughtering every vampire slayer! In an attempt to stop the new lord of vampires, Blade assembles a team of twelve remaining slayers to take on Xarus and his army of vampires. Unfortunately, for our heroes, they’re outnumbered by at least 8 to 1 and the only one to make it out alive is Blade. Afterwards, the “daywalker” moves to San Francisco because he fears Xarus’ next move is to convert an army of mutants into vampires.

This was kind of an inconsequential addition to the Curse of the Mutants storyline. Yeah, a bunch of characters got killed off – but were they important? Nope. In fact, I don’t remember seeing them in any of the other previous Blade series (and there have been five of them). So, they may have even been created just for this story – which certainly didn’t have enough room to make us care about eleven of them. Our main hero made it out alive – that’s what really matters to anyone reading this book. And, we know the villain’s next target – the X-Men (although if you’ve been reading any X-book recently, you probably already knew that). And, finally – while the cover looks excellent – the interior art leaves a lot to be desired … especially for a regular-sized comic priced at $3.99.

On Ebay: Curse of the Mutants | Blade | Dwayne Swierczynski
On AtomicAvenue: Blade

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March 25, 2011

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #1

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 12:44 pm

Cover Date: Early September 1988 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Walter Simonson

Wolverine in “Save the Tiger” part 1
written by Chris Claremont
art by John Buscema with Klaus Janson

Logan (Wolverine in plainclothes) wanders into Madripoor’s Princess Bar in the middle of a brawl and rescues some patrons including O’Donnell and Sapphire. A man named Dave Chapel sent Logan to find O’Donnell because he can help Logan find the Tiger. However, upon mentioning Chapel’s name, tension returns to the bar as everyone pulls their weapon out against Logan. His inquiry seems odd – especially knowing that “Chapel’s dead”!

Man-Thing in “Elements of Terror” part 1
written by Steve Gerber
art by Tom Sutton

A failed genetic experiment is loose in the Everglades – emitting plenty of negative emotions due to its now-malformed body. The empathic Man-Thing is drawn to the strong emotions and ends the creature’s life. Later, Zahner and Monteiro (the creature’s careless handlers) bid farewell to their boss, General Steel, after confirming the experimental creature’s death. Soon after, they’re attacked by a second experiment! Their fear draws the Man-Thing to the scene and they make their escape as the two monsters battle it out. Yet again, the Man-Thing emerges as the victor – but this time, it seems to be physically affected by contact with the creature.

Master of Kung Fu in “Crossing Lines” part 1
written by Doug Moench
art by Tom Grindberg with Dave Cockrum

Shang-Chi emerges out of retirement – feeling his time as a fisherman had been a waste. He puts himself out in the public eye as bait and discovers that there is still a bounty on his head. Even though his time in retirement has slowed him down, he still manages to defeat two of the assassins sent after him – although it takes more effort out of him than he would have hoped. The third assassin leads him on a chase that brings him to Oriental Expediters, Ltd where he is reuinted with his first love, Leiko Wu, as well as his former companions Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston. The band is back together!

Silver Surfer in “Fear Itself”
by Al Milgrom

Unsatisfied with feasting on the common fears of basic lifeforms, the alien Fear-Eater goes in search of unique creatures with unique fears. He targets the Silver Surfer with a barrage of mental conjurations intended to foster intense fear in the heart of the cosmic-powered hero. But, time and time again, the Silver Surfer proves his heroic mental state by overcoming each fear-inducing illustion and driving the Fear-Eater off in search of weaker prey.

The four characters that kicked off the first issue are certainly interesting choices especially since there’s not a Spider-Man feature to be seen! It’s hard to imagine, but at the time, Wolverine had never even had his own ongoing title (it launched a month later). The Man-Thing had rarely been seen since his second ongoing title was cancelled in 1981 – although, I imagine the reunion of the muck-monster with beloved writer, Steve Gerber, was cause for much fanboy jubilation. Likewise, bringing back the Master of Kung Fu by long-time writer, Doug Moench, was sure to make plenty of Shang-Chi fans happy since his last issue was published in 1983. Finally, the Silver Surfer was the only character featured in this issue that actually had his own ongoing title (it launched in 1987, a year earlier).

Note: The credits on the inside front cover mix up the creators of the Man-Thing and Master of Kung Fu features.

Note from the Finance Department: When this issue ($.0285/page) was published, other comics cost 75¢ for 22 pages of story ($.0341/page). So, even though this comic cost 25¢ more than the average comic, it’s price per page was actually 16% cheaper.

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