Cyberspace Comics market report, reviews and more

July 15, 2010

Famous Fanmail #15 Gary Groth

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 8:12 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”!

Gary Groth founded Fantagraphics in 1976, a comics publisher well-known for their alternative publications and their comic news magazine, the Comics Journal (featuring significant contributions by Groth, himself). Years before his successful run as a comics publisher, he got a letter printed in Thor #162 (cover date – March 1969).

Thor letters page with Gary Groth

On Ebay: Thor | Comics Journal | Fantagraphics

July 14, 2010

Before They Were Stars #6 Mike Wieringo

Filed under: Before They Were (Comic Book) Stars — Doorman @ 1:39 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.

Doc Savage: Doom Dynasty #1 Mike Wieringo artMike Wieringo‘s unique style is well-known in the comics industry. Before passing away in 2007, he worked on plenty of high-profile comic titles including the Sensational Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, the Flash, and Robin. He also launched a great, creator-owned titled called Tellos, alongside Todd Dezago.

Prior to his big break into DC Comics with his run on the Flash, he pencilled Millennium’s Doc Savage: Doom Dynasty, a two issue mini-series from 1991.

On Ebay: Mike Wieringo | Doc Savage

July 13, 2010

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #15 Spider-Man

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 11:12 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.

Todd McFarlane‘s adjectiveless Spider-Man title was an enormously successful title. Todd left the title with a “bang!” by teaming Spidey up with another then-hot Marvel property, X-Force, against the unstoppable Juggernaut. Greg Hyland’s Lethargic Comics swiped a different well-known comics cover every month, and with issue #9, he spoofed McFarlane’s final Spider-Man issue.


Spider-Man #16 | November 1991 | Todd McFarlane

Lethargic Comics, Weakly #9 | April 1992 | Greg Hyland

On Ebay: Spider-Man | Lethargic | Todd McFarlane | Greg Hyland

July 12, 2010

One-Shot At Greatness #15 Predator: Strange Roux

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 7:54 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!

Predator: Strange RouxPublisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Date: November 1996
Cover Price: $2.95
Writer: Brian McDonald
Artist: Mitch Byrd
Cover Artist: Paul Lee

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Back in 1931, three Cajun trappers discover someone’s been taking their catches and leaving the skin behind. They also come across some large, strange-looking footprints and a skinned human body. Two of the Cajuns think it was a gator that did all this but Mr. LeBlanc knows better. LeBlanc knows it was the Gollywomp! He tells the urban myth of the half-man, half-frog creature who still wanders the swamps but his friends don’t believe him.

So, they set out to follow the tracks of the gator (or Gollywomp) and kill him to keep their future catches from being stolen. But, the tracks lead them to a frightening sight … the Gollywomp (actually, it’s a Predator). The three Louisianan men try to take down the Predator with their guns but the alien creature’s got abilities and weapons of his own. In the end, it comes down to LeBlanc and the Predator. To the loser … death. And, to the winner … dinner!

This was a quick read combining some action with an ultimately unimportant urban myth. The story itself had an ending that was reminiscent of some old EC Comic and the art was pretty solid, although easily upstaged by Paul Lee’s cover. As a one-shot, it was hard to establish much concern for the three Cajuns … which becomes a bit problematic when analyzing a Predator comic. Y’see, basically the main character is always the bad guy. So, the adversaries it comes up against are the people you’re supposed to root for. Unfortunately, with the one-shot format, the story doesn’t usually contain enough characterization to make you care about the people. And, that’s what happens here. There’s not much on these three Cajuns to make you hope they’ll beat the Predator. On the other hand, the Predator is just one of thousands (maybe millions) of an alien race. And, one that we’ve never seen before … so, it’s hard to care about the Predator’s fate, either. But, even with all that in mind, I really enjoyed this quick one-shot read and I liked that it included a scene that illustrated the Predator race’s warrior respect in battle.

On Ebay: Predator | Mitch Byrd

July 9, 2010

Retro-Read #14 Tarzan vs Predator

Filed under: Retro-Read — Doorman @ 10:13 am

With years spent reading single issues here and there, juggling storylines of dozens of titles, I decided it was time to find a better way to read comics. So, it was off to the back issue bins armed with the longest want list you’ve ever seen! Putting together series after series and reading them in their complete goodness, I was reborn as the Retro-Reader!

Tarzan vs Predator #4Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Number of Issues: 4
First Issue: January 1996 ($2.50)
Last Issue: June 1996 ($2.50)
Writer: Walter Simonson
Artist: Lee Weeks

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Tarzan, Jane and some of their native friends return to Pellucidar (picture the X-Men’s Savage Land … but, inside the Earth) to investigate the disappearance of their friend (and recent emperor of Pellucidar), David Innes. Inside this hidden land, Tarzan discovers that a band of Predators are using it as hunting grounds … and he’s the latest prey. Meanwhile, the Mahar (a sentient, pterodactyl-looking creature) is using his hypnotic powers to take control of Pellucidar now since it’s ruler has gone missing. Now, Tarzan has to escape from the Predators, dethrone the Mahar, and rally the troops to send the Predators packing. No problem … right?

The Bad: This was the first Tarzan story I’ve ever read and I felt quite a bit lost with all the characters being tossed around. I was also hoping for a bit more story-wise from the Predators but they almost seem to be thrown in as an afterthought.

The Good: Lots of action to be had here … and plenty of strange elements all thrown together: Tarzan. Predator. a lost world of dinosaurs and natives. pterodactyl-humanoids. And, Lee Weeks‘ style is able to handle all of it!

The Verdict: With the release of Predators today, I thought it’d be interesting to review a Predator comic. Unfortunately, even though they’re prominently feature in the series title, they’re less included in the actual storyline. If I were to break it down, I’d say this is 75% a Tarzan story and only 25% Predator, at the most. Getting beyond that disappointment, Walter Simonson sets up plenty of problems to throw at our hero. So, there’s a lot of story stuffed into these four issues. Almost too much, though … I was a bit lost with all the names and characters tossed into the mix. So, Tarzan newcomers beware!

On Ebay: Tarzan | Predator | Walter Simonson | Lee Weeks

July 8, 2010

Famous Fanmail #14 John Carbonaro

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 6:34 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”!

In the early 1980s, John Carbonaro purchased the rights to the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents from Tower Comics. He published a few T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents series but none of them lasted long. A few years later, Deluxe Comics began publishing comics with the same characters, without licensing them from Carbonaro. Unfortunately for J.C., the following court case deemed these characters to be in the public domain. Prior to his comics publishing endeavor, John Carbonaro got a letter printed in Thor #156 (cover date – September 1968).

Thor letters page with John Carbonaro

On Ebay: Thor | T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents

July 7, 2010

Comic Book Easter Eggs #1 Ultimate Adventures

Filed under: Comic Book Easter Eggs — Doorman @ 6:58 am

With any medium, the more you know about it, the more you can appreciate it. Naturally, the same is true of comic books and now that fans who grew up reading comics are working in the industry, we’re treated to more in-jokes and nods more than ever. Here’s a look at another, cool Comic Book ‘Easter Egg’!

In 2002, Marvel issued the ‘U-Decide’ Challenge. It pitted Peter David’s Captain Marvel against Bill Jemas’ Marville and the Joe Quesada-backed Ultimate Adventures (by Ron Zimmerman and Duncan Fegredo). After six issues of each series was released, the best-selling title would be able to continue as an ongoing.

Ultimate Adventures focused on Hawk-Owl, a vigilante hero in Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. He was clearly a knock-off of Batman and this was the story of how he got his sidekick Woody (Robin, for all intents and purposes). Ron Zimmerman used the story to highlight some things that he liked about Batman … and some things he took issue with. Just like Batman, Hawk-Owl’s parents were dead. They didn’t die in a way that would provide motivation for superheroics, though. But, regardless of that, Hawk-Owl became a hero because “it was the right thing to do” … not because he needed a motivation or shove in the right direction to be a hero (like Batman did …. Zimmerman points out not-so-subtly). He also pokes a little fun at the reality of child-endangerment when young sidekicks join in on super-adventures.

Anywho … I’m getting away from the main point here. Y’see, in the final pages of issue number six, Zimmerman/Fegredo put out a nice nod to the origin of Batman. Hawk-Owl and Woody descend upon a mugger who’s holding up a young couple and their son as they’ve just exited a movie theatre showing the Mask of Zorro. True Batman fans will recognize this as the incident that served as the main motivation for Bruce Wayne to become Batman. Now, in the Ultimate Universe, Bruce will never grow up to be the caped crusader! But that’s OK … they’ve already got Hawk-Owl.

Ultimate Adventures #6 interior page - BatmanUltimate Adventures #6 interior page - Batman

On Ebay: Ultimate Adventures | Batman

July 6, 2010

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #14 Fantastic Four

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 6:53 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 Fantastic Four have ever been explorers into fantastic worlds and locations. They’ve traveled to exotic locales all over our planet, including the Savage Land and the Inhumans’ Great Refuge. They’ve also traveled to other worlds and dimensions. One such alternate plane of existence they’ve discovered is the Negative Zone. It’s inhabited by all kinds of bizarre and nefarious beings. One of these aliens is Blastaar, the deposed monarch of the Baluurians. He’s able to emit powerful force from both of his hands … and the FF’s always on his bad side. Fantastic Four #215 featured one of their many encounters.

Married With Children was a very popular TV show that lasted for eleven seasons from the late 1980s into the mid 1990s. Capitalizing on its success, NOW Comics licensed the show and began publishing comics based on it. As sales began to fall off, NOW experimented with some strange stories. One such spin-off was Married With Children: the Quantum Quartet, which re-invisioned the cast of the TV show as super-heroes based on the Fantastic Four. It didn’t last long. In fact, issues #3 and 4 were never published. But, a while later, those final two issues emerged, combined within this Big Wrap-Up special. As always, there’s no better way to begin a spoof comic than starting off with a cover swipe.


Fantastic Four #215
February 1980
Ron Wilson
Married With Children: the Quantum Quartet: the Big Wrap-Up
Fall 1994
 

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Justice League | Married With Children

July 5, 2010

One-Shot At Greatness #14 Gen 13/Maxx

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 8:08 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!

Gen 13/MaxxPublisher: Image Comics
Cover Date: December 1995
Cover Price: $3.50
Writer: William Messner-Loebs
Artist: Tomm Coker

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

The evil Mr. Gone kidnaps Gen13 along with a host of children by transporting them all to the outback. With the help of the Maxx and the Brothers Tortoise, the team tries to figure out a way back home. Freefall and Burnout manage to teleport back to the real world by following Gone through a teleport hole in reality. Back on planet Earth, the two heroes find the real-world Maxx, Julie and Sarah who help them figure out a way to defeat Mr. Gone and rescue everyone from the outback. The question remains: Whose Outback were they trapped in?

Tomm Coker‘s artwork is hard to pin down. He’s got some real shining moments here (like the giant floating monkey … and his Isz look as if they were drawn by Kieth himself) but some of his humans look strange (especially their faces). I guess I’m just spoiled by Sam Kieth’s art when it comes to Maxx books. It’s nice to see this crossover written by William Messner-Loebs (the scripter for the Maxx) because I think the balance between the Outback and the real world would be hard to handle for a writer who wasn’t familiar with the concepts. And, while his name is on the title of the book … this story isn’t really about the Maxx, all that much. It focuses more on Gen13 as they adjust to the strangeness that is the Outback. So, if you’re looking for some more Maxx/Julie story, you’ll probably be a little disappointed. However, if you’re interested to see an outsider’s perspective on the Outback … then this is the place to be.

On Ebay: Maxx | Gen 13 | William Messner-Loebs | Tomm Coker

July 2, 2010

Retro-Read #13 Everybody’s Dead

Filed under: Retro-Read — Doorman @ 7:11 am

With years spent reading single issues here and there, juggling storylines of dozens of titles, I decided it was time to find a better way to read comics. So, it was off to the back issue bins armed with the longest want list you’ve ever seen! Putting together series after series and reading them in their complete goodness, I was reborn as the Retro-Reader!

Publisher: Idea and Design Works
Number of Issues: 5
First Issue: March 2008 ($3.99)
Last Issue: July 2008 ($3.99)
Writer: Brian Lynch
Artist: Dave Crosland

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Westerberg and his Beta Eta Delta frat brothers are throwing a Halloween party … perhaps the last party, unbeknownst to them. The drama starts up when his ex-girlfriend (who he still holds a candle for), Aurora, shows up and then kicks into high gear when a rival frat, the Omegas, shows up to start a fight. Largely outnumbered, the Deltas are saved by their brother Mosby, who wards the Omegas off with a pistol (it’s actually Megatron in his weapon form – but who can see clearly at night, right?)! Needless to say, the threat of a weapon drove most of the partiers away and left the boys alone to a quiet night.

When the brothers wake up the next morning, they discover that the world’s population has been turned to zombies! Everyone, that is, except for those who stayed at their house last night. The brothers have to fight to stay alive now … but the zombie Omegas aren’t going to make that easy. Even after being zombie-ized, they still hold a grudge over the Deltas stealing their frat-house … but now they want to eat the Deltas’ brains, too! On the plus side: what better way to win back your ex-girlfriend than by surviving a zombie invasion together?

The Bad: Crosland’s art is certainly unique and I’ve enjoyed it in other titles … I’m just not sure he was the best pick for this story. The other downside I found here was that there wasn’t one strong main character that captured my interest. Even Westerberg, who seems to be the main focus, is kind of wussy and his gf/exgf clearly wears the pants.

the Good: The zombie invasion story’s been done hundreds of times by now so it was fun to see it against the backdrop of a college fraternity “war”. Plus, I imagine that this was the first story to spotlight the consequences of a stoned zombie with the munchies.

The Verdict: The art is quirky (which fits the storyline) and may not appeal to all readers but the story is an adventurous romp that uses humor and fun situations to play down the horror aspect of a zombie invasion. I wouldn’t run out to read a sequel but, then again, I’m not upset that I read through this one. The tagline on the front cover is what convinced me to give it a try: They’re the last people on Earth who should be the last people on Earth! How can you turn down a line like that?

On Ebay: Brian Lynch | Dave Crosland

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress