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!
John Storm and a recently depowered Ben Grimm hit the town in Fantastic Four #584. Their “early dinner with friends” turns out to be with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!
On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Stan Lee | Jack Kirby
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four
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.
This swipe was a great way of signaling that the “bwa-ha-ha” era of the League was over and the book would be returning to a more traditional approach.
 Justice League of America #1 November 1960 Murphy Anderson |
 Justice League America #61 April 1992 Dan Jurgens |
On Ebay: Justice League
On AtomicAvenue: Justice League
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!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: April 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Roger Stern
Artist: Neil Vokes
This tale takes place years ago and begins with Stephen Strange purchasing a brownstone in New York’s Greenwich Village – despite the real estate agent’s warnings that its supposedly haunted. While looking around, Doctor Strange notices that he’s not alone in his new dwelling. After further investigation, he discovers that Tyanon‘s familiar is in the house, attempting to open a portal for his mistress to enter into the Earthly plane. Can our freshly trained sorcerer figure out how to prevent an invasion stemming from his new house?
This was a fun story with neat illustrations by Vokes that seem to mix Mignola with Saturday Morning cartoons. It’s a neat, previously untold tale of Doctor Strange’s first day in his now-famous brownstone. Interestingly enough, this story was set to be printed in 1998’s Marvel Universe – but that series was canceled before this issue was published. Luckily, it’s been brought out of the Marvel Vault and dusted off for our enjoyment!
On Ebay: Doctor Strange | Roger Stern | Neil Vokes
On AtomicAvenue: Doctor Strange
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.
Accessories do a great deal to make a figure awesome, especially when they showcase a character’s unique powers or abilities.
Over the years, Minimate fans have been given a few different versions of Reed Richards, A.K.A. Mr. Fantastic – and if there is any one character who can benefit from creative accessories, it’s Reed! His first release came packed with elongated arms that could bend to shape, and later releases also threw in a base to simulate the lower half of his body wrapping around an adversary. It’s details like these that make Minimates truly fun!
Behind the Image:
How many different ways are there to photograph toys? I’d rather not get myself stuck in one or two specific approaches when it comes to presenting images of Minimates, so every once in a while I try something a little different. With this image, I went for a sort of ‘vintage painting’ feel.
I google’d a painting that I felt had the right tone, and then superimposed a photo and messed around with some color/texture filters to get it to look as if it belonged with that background.
On Ebay: Fantastic Four
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four
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!
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Wolverine in “Save the Tiger” part 3 written by Chris Claremont art by John Buscema with Klaus Janson Wolverine recounts his previous encounter with Jessan Hoan and is puzzled when he discovers that she has changed quite a bit – and doesn’t even remember him. After she escapes from him, he’s attacked and subdued by Sapphire Styx and Razorfist. |
Man-Thing in “Elements of Terror” part 3 written by Steve Gerber art by Tom Sutton Well, it turns out that Senator Wycombe wasn’t murdered – but he was captured! And, he’s going to be the latest experiment in Project: Glamour – the very same operation he was asking about last issue. Project: Glamour intends to rediscover the Super Soldier Serum that Ted Sallis was trying to unlock years ago. Sallis’ experiments played a part in his transformation into the Man-Thing. Meanwhile, back in the swamp, the Man-Thing’s empathic nature leads him to an occultist who believes the monster will create a great opportunity for her. |
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Master of Kung Fu in “Crossing Lines” part 3 written by Doug Moench art by Tom Grindberg with Dave Cockrum Days after her Leiko Wu’s capture, Shang-Chi is still hitting the streets – looking for information that will bring him closer to his first love. When he returns to homebase, Black Jack Tarr invites the Master of Kung Fu to join him in his war on terrorism. Later, a package arrives addressed to Shang Chi, containing Leiko Wu’s severed left hand! |
the Thing in “the Measure Of A Man” by Al Milgrom The alien Fear-Eater sets his sights on the Thing – putting him through the emotional wringer. He uses Ben Grimm’s grotesque appearance against him – hoping to set in fear of being stuck in his monstrous form forever. But, the first inkling of adversity leads to a great feeling of honor and self-esteem that quickly defeats any negative feelings – leaving the alien near starving to death. |
Note from the Format Dept: this issue’s cover returns to the wrap format established by the first issue.
On Ebay: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Man-Thing | Shang-Chi | the Thing
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Comics Presents | Wolverine | Man-Thing | Master of Kung Fu | Thing
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).
On Ebay: Eternals | Ralph Macchio
On AtomicAvenue: Eternals
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).
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
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!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: February 1995
Cover Price: $2.95
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Mike Kazaleh
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
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.
With a new X-Men movie around the corner, I thought it’d be fitting to take a look at the very first comic-based Moviemates that Art Asylum released – X-Men 3 Minimates!
These were released as Wave 14 of the Marvel series, and opened the door for a brand new sub-category of Minimates. Not only that, but this particular wave came after what fans consider to be the lowest point in Marvel Minimate history, when most of the characters released were comprised of previously released parts (which saved the company a decent amount of $ in production costs, but in the end, made the products suffer) … it is argued that the X-Men 3 wave breathed new life into a line of toys that may have died out otherwise.
Wave 14 was Art Asylum’s first venture into comic movie Minimates, and so they hadn’t yet perfected the marketing aspect of it. First off, they weren’t released until long after the movie had left theaters. Second, with this wave, we were only given 7 different figures – Storm & Colossus, Juggernaut & Beast, Wolverine & Jean Grey, and Phoenix packed as the variant. This isn’t even close to being the full line up of main characters from that movie, but one traditional wave only consists of 6 releases plus a variant.
It wasn’t until Spiderman 3 that more than one full wave was dedicated to a single movie.
Since then, AA has found a pretty solid formula for producing and selling Moviemates, with one full wave for the main characters, supplemental 2-packs released exclusively via TRU, an “army dump” for villains (like the drones from IM2 or the Frost Giants from Thor), and the occasional 4-pack sold through online stores or comic shops – all of which are now appearing on shelves with plenty of time before the film’s release date.
Interestingly, this wave did one additional thing that helps fans track the history of Minimates. On top of being the first Moviemate wave, and the first in several waves to sport a complete line of new sculpts, it also raised the bar in terms of detail. I can still remember when this line was initially released, many of my fellow Minimate collectors had much praise for the ‘impressive detailing’ on Juggernaut, specifically.
Looking back on it now, these particular ‘mates really aren’t too remarkable. But at the time, they were a sizeable leap in terms of the evolution of Minimate design.
Behind the Image:
This idea is based very closely off of an officially released posted for the 3rd X-Men movie. I essentially just followed the formula of that poster and altered it to feature each of the 6 released Minimates of that film. The backgrounds were simply lit up with different colored bulbs, and each image was passed through some filters in Photoshop to achieve a more dramatic intensity.
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