After six years of legal disputes Eon Productions was ready to resume making James Bond films. Unfortunately the last actor who played James Bond, Timothy Dalton, retired from the role and was no longer interested in making another Bond film.
At the time Dalton was chosen as James Bond another actor had been considered and assigned to the role: Pierce Brosnan.
When the producers of the TV show Remington Steele, in which Pierce played the lead role, heard about the selection they immediately signed Pierce for another year of the series on the very last day of Pierce’s contract.
Reluctantly Pierce filmed the show one more year after which it was cancelled.
Jump ahead to 1994. Pierce was once again chosen as Bond and this time he was able to get the role.
The 1995 release of the new James Bond film Goldeneye starring Pierce gave a new vitality to the Bond films, which was much needed.
Bond was modernized and his new boss was a woman. His womanizing, boozing and reckless days were played down and the action and intrigue was amped up.
The movie was a huge success and Pierce starred in three more James Bond films until the role was taken over by actor Daniel Craig.
From its opening jumping sequence to its climatic final battle the film delivered on all accounts. Pierce Brosnan was Bond and the franchise was secure.
Sideshow Collectibles secured the rights to the James Bond 12-inch figure license and turned out a string of figures up until the point Pierce was no longer Bond. The Pierce Brosnan As James Bond In Goldeneye figure comes dressed in combat/stealth gear as he was seen in at the beginning of the film.
Sculptor Matt falls did an excellent job of capturing the features of Pierce in the head sculpt.
Skin tone variations are good but a little ruddy and the reflective points on the lips and eyes really make the figure seem almost alive. Even Pierce’s ‘piercing’ blue eyes are captured perfectly.
While molded, the hair looks natural and the figure’s features are crisp and distinct.
Articulation of the neck, chest, shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees are tight and easily hold in position when the figure is set in different poses.
Some poses require the accompanying base and wire while others allow the figure to stand or kneel on its own without and assistance. The drab green military outfit hangs on the figure realistically with proper folds and wrinkles. Clothing pieces are easily adjustable and removable without putting a strain on the stitching or fasteners.
The Bond figure wears a standard issue military long sleeve shirt and loose military pants culminating in high top, laced military boots in green and brown.
Check out the attention detail on the boots-every lace is seen along with the overlapping green and brow cloth and leather.
The figure also wears a military vest with numerous upper and lower pockets that actually open.
Bond wears his signature wristwatch and a number of weapons and accessories come with the figure.
Two magnetic mines are included, as are Bond’s Walter PPK handgun and short stock machine gun with brown clip. All are finely detailed, scaled to the figure and look like the weapons they emulate.
The figure’s hands hold the weapons securely with no chance of slipping out.
The box the figure comes in is a flip open front panel container with a large Bond photo montage on the front and photos from the film on the back.
Both the Bond figure and accessories come in a from-fitting clear plastic insert with plastic straps to hold them in place if necessary.
Both the figure and accessories are protected by a single clear plastic sheet for display and a sheet of tissue paper to avoid scratches and smudges.
It’s an impressive figure and Sideshow Collectibles and James Bond fans are sure to enjoy it.
That’s just what Wendy Darling must decide if she has any hope of returning to Never Land.
Years earlier after she and brothers adventures in Never Land with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell Wendy sits alone in her room.
She has been waiting for Peter Pan to return for his shadow as he had promised her the last time she saw him.
The memories of Never Land have faded for her brothers. They’ve grown up, gone to school and have written their adventures off as youthful imaginations.
But not Wendy. She knows what happened and everyday writes of her adventures in Never Land in her journal.
She has become somewhat of a recluse. Uncomfortable about the structure of her dreary London society she pines for a return to the mystical Never Land .
When her parents discover her journal they confiscate it and plan on sending her away to nanny some boys she doesn’t even now.
Her parents (with good intentions) believe her fantasy filled journal is detrimental to her mental and societal health.
Desperate to return to Never Land she makes a deal with Captain Hook. In exchange for Peter’s shadow she wants Hook to return her to Never Land .
But as with all laid plans things do not turn out the way she intended.
Indeed Never Land, The Lost boys, Peter Pan and the sites and citizens of Never Land are not what she expected them to be. Even Tinker Bell seems different.
Wendy discovers that’s it’s best to be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
Straight On Till Morning is a delightful and engrossing tale about the legend of Peter Pan.
It shines a new light on what Never Land is really like and paints a poignant picture of London society at that time.
Appropriately subtitled: A Twisted Tale, the book examines the fantasy world of Peter Pan and what it really means to never grow up.
Author Liz Braswell does an outstanding job of updating the tales of NeverLand and brings new insight into the lives of the classic characters.
I especially like the insights into Captain Hook and Tinker Bell in this new ‘classic‘ tale published by Disney/Hyperion.
Disney/Pixar‘s new computer animated Onward film takes a modern look of the world of fantasy.
What would happen if mythical creatures like Gnomes, fairies, minotaurs, dragons and other fantasy figures have embraced the modern pitfalls of human society?
In Quests Of Yore Barley and Ian set out on a quest, only with a modern twist.
Readers are invited to come along on in a once in a lifetime adventure. Filled with maps, characters descriptions, mythical and mysterious items, magic and enchanted locales the book is a colorful romp.
However Barley and Ian somehow manage to make a long held traditional ancient quest totally outrageous.
Page after page is filled with their funny, irreverent and modernized take on places, people, objects, creatures and magical tasks.
The 21st Century collides with ancient lore in a hilarious hodgepodge of magic and mayhem from Disneybooks.
Not long after George Lucas revamped and augmented his original Star Wars trilogy with new effects and scenes Chronicle Books (along with Hasbro Toys) produced a trio of Star Wars Masterpiece Editions.
They included 12-inch figures along with books packaged in oversize boxes with flip-open front lids that showcased both the books and figures.
The books consisted of C-3PO, Aurra Sing (the bounty hunter) and Anakin Skywalker.
The Anakin Skywalker issue (in my opinion) is the most interesting of the trio.
The figure is of Anakin as an old man as seen n the original release of Return Of The Jedi. He is seen as he was at the end of the film when he appeared as a Force ghost next to Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The book was released long before the Prequel film series so the secret of Anakin’s transformation to Darth Vader was not revealed-only hinted at.
The book looks back on Anakin’s life (again omitting key details) and concentrates on his transformation into Vader as stated by the title of the book: Anakin Skywalker The Story Of Darth Vader.
Written by Stephen J. Sansweet, with assist by Daniel Wallace and Josh Ling, the book is filled with photos and artwork gleaned from the original trilogy archives.
What makes the package unique is the Anakin figure. Like its movie namesake the figure is dressed in a simple Jedi robe of brown with slightly tan undergarments.
The facial sculpt is of the old, unscared Anakin. It is fully-articulated and is dressed in real cloth.
To my knowledge it was and is the only ‘old’ Anakin Skywalker 12-inch figure ever to be produced.
Currently the book and figure sells for around $60.
If you are a veteran comic book collector like myself you probably have some expensive old comic books in your collection.
In the past ten years Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age and Key comic books have skyrocketed in value.
With the new grading systems prices have risen even further.
For example the classic John Byrne X-men and Neal Adams Green Lantern/Green Arrow titles continue to get expensive.
I have both series and although they are not graded slabs, even the raw issues are pricey. I don’t have the cash to replace the books so I want to keep the issues I do have in top condition.
How to remedy the situation? I want to read the books but I don’t want to degrade their condition.
Marvel Comics and DC Comics have clever and inexpensive solutions.
Both Marvel and DC have created a series of black and white reprint soft paperbacks that comprise multiple issues all in one book.
DC Showcase Presents and Marvel Essentials allow reader to enjoy their valuable and key issues stories without degrading their original issues.
The collected issue series are pretty extensive and for less than $20 per book fans can reread their favorite tales without worrying that they are destroying their originals.
I highly recommend both DC Showcase Presents and Marvel Essentials. Other smaller publishers also have their own issue compilations.
Toys, toys, toys! Action figures are a huge business for toy companies.
Most superhero action figures are primarily of Marvel and DC Comics. Some small toy manufacturers tackle independent title characters but the lion’s share of superhero comic book characters comes from the ‘Big 2‘.
One of the biggest independent character creations ever produced was by Joseph Michael Linsner.
His sultry and deadly Dawn character captivated comic book readers and soon made her a popular character.
McFarlane Toys created a single Dawn six-inch, articulated figure and she is considered by many toy collectors to be one of McFarlane’s top figures.
The sultry red head with cascading black tear tracks flowing from her left eye is as sexy as her namesake.
Facial details are stunning with full red lips, large seductive eyes and small chiseled features.
Dawn wears her green high collar Victorian bodice with full padded shoulders culminating in full sleeves and green gloves.
Silver gauntlets decorate both arms and her bosom is clearly seen through her transparent and skull decorated front ice piece.
Her low slung trousers hover just below her navel and taper up over her hips.
The convoluted upper trouser legs are covered at the crotch with a large silver medallion hanging from three silver rings that keep her waist cape secure. The cape is also green, as are her leggings.
Black and silver knee boots complete her clothing ensemble. The boot detailing is amazing.
Dawn also boasts two silver sidepieces of armor just below her waist and a large silver earring in her left ear.
Accessories include a rose mounted on a swirling vine that can wrap around Dawn’s arms, comedy and tragedy masks, a large ornately decorated broadsword with jewels, intricate pommel and handle, a human skull with goat antlers and a full base made to look like a section of road and a beautifully decorated half tree trunk.
Swirling about the trunk are roses of red and white, vines and a single silver wing.
The entire ensemble is absolutely mesmerizing and the attention to detail, intricate paint application and sculpting is some of the best ever achieved by McFarlane Toys.
Equally impressive is Dark Horse’sMartha Washington figure based on the multiple mini-series and one-shots created by Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons.
Included with the figure is an exclusive Martha Washington comic book.
The figure is heavily articulated and posable. Martha comes dressed in her standard P.A.X. regalia that includes a yellow bandana, khaki sleeveless shirt, armbands, arm pouch, yellow gloves, khaki military pants, large, brown military boots with full laces and a knife scabbard on her lower right leg.
Accessories include A P.A.X. satchel, a multi-function rifle, an ammo clip, sword, utility belt with pouches and gun holster, a small automatic pistol and yellow belt.
Facial and figure detailing is spot-on and looks just like the Martha comic book character.
Paint application is clean with no rough edges and detailing is remarkable especially on the weapons and accessories.
Martha is fully equipped with a shovel, canteen, satchels and plenty of firepower.
If there is one thing I struggle with more than anything else in my life it’s relaxing. I’m the kind of guy that needs to be doing something.
I’m not talking about around the house chores or other mundane day-to-day activities. I’m referring to keeping busy-creatively.
When it comes to maintenance around the house, working on our car, the yard and other domestic responsibilities I don’t shirk them. In fact, I jump on them the first chance I have and complete them so I don’t have to worry about them later. I hate procrastinating.
This year I’ve decided to write and draw something everyday.
I need the practice.
Writing has never been a big problem for me-it’s drawing that causes me to pull out my hair in frustration.
I tend to write almost everyday anyway-mostly reviews and commentaries. I don’t see that changing much, except for the frequency.
I made my living as a graphic designer and I was good at it.
But to sit down and draw for my own amusement and enjoyment that’s going to take some effort. I am determined however.
Never in my wildest dreams as a kid did I believe I would be alive in 2020-let alone thinking I would live to be 67 years old!
But, I did and I’m grateful.
Back to art. If all goes as planned I will pencil and/or ink a drawing everyday for the next year, minus Sundays.
Sometimes the drawings will be simple funny cartoons. At other times they will be more complicated pieces. One drawing may stretch to two or three days as I add details.
There are no set rules-so here goes.
As to learning to cool it and be patient, that’s going to take some serious effort on my part.
Still, at 67 years old I suppose it’s time to slow down. I'm not the kid I used to be. It certainly takes longer to recuperate from injuries and exercise than it used to.
I'm not bed bound or crippled. I exercise regularly and keep my weight down. I try to keep care of myself. But, time marches on and age does take its toll.
I’m learning to sit and read, taking my time at chores, enjoying the moment and trying not to sweat the small stuff.
I’m still ambitious, but for different reasons than when I was younger.
Fame and fortune mean nothing to me. Self fulfillment and the satisfaction of a job well done are more important now.
Priorities are changing as I age. It’s not about the achievement, it’s more about the journey and enjoying it along the way.
Konami’sYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Shaddoll Showdown features brand new artwork and the rebirth of the Shaddolls!
It would be a ‘grave’ mistake not to get this Structure Deck. So before you get ‘buried’ in bills, go out and ‘dig up’ a few Shaddoll Showdown.
Just look at what you get:
Combine Flip Effects and Fusion The Spell Card lets you Fusion Summon using monsters in your Deck New monsters break the rules New non-DARK Shaddolls New El Shaddoll Fusion Monster Two effects: activates when Flipped and sent to the Graveyard A brand-new Fusion Monster: El Shaddoll Apkallone A new Trap Card: Resh Shaddoll Incarnation Special Summons
Structure Decks consist of 49 Cards across the Main and Extra Deck, including 10 Foil Cards!
39 Commons 7 Super Rares 3 Ultra Rares 1 Beginner's Guide 1 Double-sided Deluxe Game Mat/Dueling Guide
“ There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call ... The Twilight Zone. “
I remember when I heard those words first uttered for the first time in the very first episode of The Twilight Zone (hosted by Rod Serling) on CBS in October 1959. It was called ’Where Is Everybody?” and it scared the snot out of me.
From then on I was hooked and barely missed an episode. My mom was a big fan also and made sure we remembered to tell each other to be sure and not miss the next episode.
Rod Serling (the creator of The Twilight Zone) passed away decades ago but his legacy lives on in the new The Twilight Zone TV series from CBS/Paramount.
Hosted by Jordan Peele, The Twilight Zone Season One 4-disc DVD Collection would make Serling proud.
With its modern take on the classic series the show pays tribute to recognizable original series episodes and throws in a few new surprises of its own.
Like the original series the new series captivate your imagination, makes your spin tingle and make you think and ponder the possibilities.
Things are never what they appear and reality is only what we make of it and The Twilight Zone offers a reality all its own.
Included in the collection are several features including remembering Rod Serling, how the new series was made, analysis of each episode, commentaries and a music video and deleted and extended scenes.
It’s a classy collection of episodes paying tribute to a classic TV series.
The Captain James T. Kirk Exclusive Premiere Edition Star Trek figure from Star Trek: The Original Series from Art Asylum/Diamond Select Toys is a ‘must-have’ for any Star Trek toy collector.
Packaged in a small black box with lid the Kirk six-inch, fully articulated figure looks just like William Shatner as Kirk.
Articulated at the neck shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, knees and ankles the figure poses easily in various action stances.
Paint application is spot on with subtle flesh tones, piping on Kirk’s sleeves, nice minute details on the figure’s face and hands and tonal differences between the cloths, flesh and boots.
The figure is held snug in place in a form-fitting plastic bubble, as are the accessories.
Extras include a second right hand for holding larger objects, a Tricorder, Medical Tricorder, both an open and a closed Communicator, a hand Phaser and a Rifle Phaser as seen in Where No Man Has Gone Before.
The Tricorder even have straps and flip open readout panels.
Two LootCrate Exclusive miniatures worth purchasing are the BBC Doctor Who Sonic Spork fashioned after the Doctor’s famous Sonic Screwdriver.
The Spork comes in a slip case box that holds the Spork securely in a foam cradle.
The silver Spork tapers into a replica of the Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver’s complete with copper, black, silver and green details.
The Back To The Future II Hover Board 1:5 Scale Replica sits in a lidded box and is cradled in a foam sleeve.
The Hover Board miniature replica sports the same Mattel Toys color scheme as the original and appears to float over a reflective mirror base.
The board detaches from the base revealing its Hoover mechanisms.
Details and paint application on all the accessories are precise, clean and accurate.
Costume design has always taken back set to set designs, special effects, stunts and practical effects, music scores, location designs and all the other facets of TV and movie production.
And yet, without good costume and wardrobe designs films and TV series can fall flat on their faces. It’s time that costume design and costume designers get the credit they are due.
In Disney Editions' The Art Of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, And Spaces Between, readers are introduced to the magical and fascinating world of costume design.
Did you know that the costumes seen in many of Disney’s animated movies were first designed as actual, real life costumes worn by performers? It was necessary for the animators to see how cloth and fabrics performed on a human figure to be able to duplicate the movement in animation.
Disney's various TV shows also required careful attention to costuming. After all where would Davy Crockett or the Mouskateers have been if they were dressed in plain street cloths?
Disney fashion and costume designers have turned out some of the most amazing outfit assemblies ever imaged for animation, TV and the movies.
Of the three movie costumes probably shine the brightest.
Just look at the amazing costumes of The Prates Of The Caribbean films, Mary Poppins, the various live action animation adaptations, Maleficent and dozens more.
With the addition of Marvel Comics movies and the Star Wars epic the need for superior costume design is a necessity. Disney costume designers deliver on all accounts.
This book is amazing. It’s a beautiful oversize hardback with gorgeous full-color costume photos.
The book givse credit to the incredibly talented people behind the designs as well as examining the films, the fabrics, and the fastidious attention to detail and fabulous creations once completed.
Inside the secrets of great designs are revealed along with fabric and material selection, designing the costumes for individual performers and the logistics of making a costume look and function and how it will look on the large or small screen.
Color selection, fabric textures, small details like buttons and latches, accessories, hats, gloves, boots and shoes and much more must be carefully coordinated and selected for maximum impact.
It’s truly amazing journey and examination of a craft that is unappreciated yet so vitally important for any film or TV project.
Actor Hugh Jackman is closely tied to the move character he made famous: Wolverine.
He did a spectacular job of playing the mutant with the adamantium claws-especially considering Wolverine is supposed to be around five foot four inches tall and Hugh towers over six foot.
After two successful X-Men movies and several other movies Universal Studios contracted Jackman to star in what they hoped would be a string of new movies that would reinvigorate their Universal Monsters properties.
Jackman starred as Van Helsing, the legendary vampire hunter.
In the Van Helsing movie Jackson expanded upon Van Helsing’s supernatural hunting territory by making him an agent of the Catholic Church and responsible for wiping out any supernatural threat.
In the film he encountered Dracula, his three brides, the Frankenstein Monster, Wolfman and a host of other undead/supernatural adversaries.
Personally I like the movie. Unfortunately the general movie going audience failed to make the film a hit and Universal abandoned its Monsters revival.
Universal tried again with Tom Cruise’s The Mummy film-that also failed to bring in the necessary audience and revenue.
Jackman made a convincing Van Helsing and I would love to see him make more films but sadly that will not happen.
Sideshow Collectibles acquired the 12-inch figure license from Universal and created a 12-inch Van Helsing articulated figure. Of the may Sideshow figures I own the Van Helsing figure is one of my favorites.
At the time it was made the figure really upped the ante when it came to 12-inch figures.
There was definitely a jump in the complexity of a character including clothing, accessories and even the packaging.
The packaging consists of Sideshow’s standard box with flip-open lid, clear plastic interior viewing panel, figure strapping and form-fitting plastic carrier.
The box paper stock is of a non-glass paper, which give the antiqued photos and art on the exterior and interior an aged look.
The cover features Van Helsing surrounded by screened back photos of the key characters in the movie. Nicely done!
Such a technique is one of my favorite tricks to use when I design. It’s very effective and makes the packaging really stand out.
As for the figure itself I’ll start at the top and work my way down.
Van Helsing’s large wide-brimmed black hat is a highlight of the film. It almost seems alive as it casts shadows across Van Helsing’s face.
The figure’s hat looks exactly like it movie’s namesake. Made of stiff plastic the hat fits easily on the figure’s head and because it is rigid it does not flop down to obscure the figure’s face or droop to make a ragged look.
There’s nothing worse than a fabric hat on a figure that droops and over time creates a wavy look.
Van Helsing’s face looks exactly like Jackman’s complete with scrubby mustache. The figure’s intense eyes are intensified by the clever use of reflection spots and the scowling look of the face typifies Van Helsing’s intense nature.
The molded shoulder length black hair is sculpted but look naturals as it falls both on the back and front of the figure.
Take a careful look at the figure’s features which are sharp and feature nice tonal flesh coloring and clean crisp edges with no slop over or rough paint or plastic edges.
Figure articulation is tight yet easy to manipulate. The figure poses naturally with no restriction and considering the layers of cloths its surprising the flexibility is still available. It is possible to pose the figure without the enclosed base and wire support but for long term display posing it is best to use the stand.
The neck swivels and tilts just like a real neck and the hands and feet pivot and tilt. Arm and leg joints move and with the special knee and elbow structure their movement is restricted to certain movements just as with normal human anatomy.
Waist and hip joints make posing the figure extended action poses possible.
The clothing falls and folds over the body without bunching. Cloth folds appear correct with heavier folds on the upper torso due to the many layers of cloth.
The figure wears a heavy deep gray turtleneck sweater covering its entire neck. Over that is a ‘leather’ vest with loop and draw ties and an open neck with large collar.
The vest is festooned with a chain crucifix held in place by a silver button mid vest.
Simple black trousers tuck into heavy black knee boots. Heavy tie laces hold the shoes in closed. The shoes are of a single piece molded to look laced.
The trousers are held in place by a wide black belt laced through thick belt loops. A functional black belt buckle holds the belt in place. Over the vest the figure wears a heavy ‘leather’ jacket with black straps that hold the coat closed when necessary. Stitching is in scale and the coat’s lapels end in a wide protective collar.
The coat’s arms starts with heavy shoulder pads that lap over the shoulders. The sleeves end in heavy mid arm cuffs that taper in.
Thick black gloves cover the molded static hands than can hold the various weapons included with the figure.
All of the clothing is fitted and scaled to the figure with stitching, fasteners and other details miniaturized to fit the figure perfectly.
The long black trench coat closes over the whole figure and gives it a very striking appearance. It is stiff enough that with a little manipulation it can appear to be wavering in the wind or flared out for action poses.
Weapons include two twin handguns painted silver and gold. They fit snuggly into the figure’s hands and can be hidden away in the figure’s many cloth folds or pockets.
Each gun is masterpiece of precision with small details around the barrels, bullet chambers, wooden handles and gold pommel and trigger guard.
Van Helsing’s special crossbow is also included. The bow folds out side to side and includes a crossbow wire for firing.
The bow ‘s hinges hold the crossbow in place or extended.
Bow details include gold garnishes on the silver bow body, a bow site, back lock mechanism and remarkable detailing on the bow butt, body shaft and upper bow assembly.
The lower arrow container appears full of miniature arrows, the trigger and front hand grip fit perfectly in the figure’s hands for authentic looking action poses.
The crossbow is the most detailed of all the figure’s accessories and is an accurate duplication of the film’s actual weapon.
The 12-inch Van Helsing figure is a extremely well-done piece with head sculpt by Olug W. Hartvigson with figure and accessory designs by the Sideshow Figure Team.
Gunsmoke has the distinction of being the longest running primetime Western of all time clocking in at 20 seasons.
That’s pretty impressive considering the show originally started out as black and white half-hour episodes and premiered with other primetime Westerns.
In fact, in the late 1950s and early 1960s upward of 30 Westerns could be seen on primetime TV.
But, there was something different about Gunsmoke.
The TV series strived to portray the Old West as it really was: gritty, dirty, tough, dangerous and populated by tough-as-nails individuals determined to make a go of it.
While other TV Westerns primarily focused on one individual with a supporting cast and tended to romanticize the Old West, Gunsmoke stood out for its authenticity.
When Gunsmoke was first visualized its creators wanted John Wayne to play the title role of Marshall Matt Dillon. Wayne declined but recommended a young man in his talent pool: James Arness. An imposing six foot five inches tall Arness dominated the small screen.
His gentle but strong portrayal of Matt Dillon coupled with his dry sense of humor made him a Western fan favorite.
Accompanying him was a stellar cast of characters all of whom strived to make the show the best it could be.
Their chemistry and obvious affection of each other (on and off the screen) is evident on the small screen.
CBS/Paramount has faithfully translated the TV series to a set of DVDs. All the episodes are remastered and restored and include some pretty cool Special Features.
In its twin release of Gunsmoke The Eighteenth Season and Gunsmoke The Nineteenth Season DVD Collections viewers get to see the series as it draws close to it finale.
Yet despite years of performances together the cast turns in some of the best episodes of the series.
Matt leaves his badge and goes after the man that almost kills Kitty, some offbeat humor is included in two memorable episodes, Matt goes undercover, a intense study of tolerance and prejudice is seen in the 19th Season and Matt comes close to loosing his ability to use a firearm.
Other intense and thought-provoking (and relevant) stories make the 18th and 19th Seasons some of the best of Gunsmoke's 20 year run.
Both DVD collections include commentaries and featurettes about the series.
Relive the Old West and enjoy a classic TV series that set the standard by which all other TV Westerns must meet.
DC Comics Book fans take notice. Rumors have it that Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) will star as the supervillain Black Adam in the upcoming SHAZAM! 2 movie.
In the DC Comics’ six-issue Black Adam mini-series readers are treated to a revamped origin tale of Black Adam, a touching love story and retribution and more.
Of course no story involving the sworn enemy of SHAZAM is all sunshine and roses.
There’s plenty of magic, revenge, violence and a totally unexpected turn of events.
Look for this mini-series to shoot up in price once the movie is completed.
The entire set can be bought for about $20. The Alex Ross variant cover for #1 is around $100. These prices won’t last for long.
Batman and Superman have always had a tenuous relationship. While never really ‘buddies’ they do have a profound respect for each other.
Superman tends to be a super Boy Scout while Batman leans to the dark side.
Still when they decide to pool their respective powers and talents the result are always that the badguys get their just desserts.
Writer Dave Gibbons and artist Steve Rude (Nexus) pooled their talents and came up with what I believe to be one of the best team-ups of Superman and Batman ever produced in World’s Finest Worlds Apart.
Throw in a little Joker and Lex Luthor and you have a surefire hit.
Rude’s art and layouts are like nothing I’ve ever seen before and are perfectly suited for the Dark Knight and Man of Steel team-up. The Price of admission is worth it just to get Rude’s take on the Joker.
The entire 3-part mini-series can be bought for around $15. It’s well worth it and I forecast it will become a classic in the near future.
Sculptor Matt falls did an excellent job of capturing the features of Pierce in the head sculpt.
