To most comic book collectors the name Joe Quesada is associated with Marvel Comics. Joe held the position of editor for the Marvel Knights series back in the 1990s. He then graduated to Editor-In-Chief and now holds the position as Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment.
Joe started out as young artist working for Valiant Comics, moved on to DC and Marvel and then created his own character: Ash, under his publishing company Event.
One of the most unusual titles Joe worked on for DC Comics was The Ray.
In the series the son of the original Golden Age Ray discovers his inherited energy powers and reluctantly becomes a superhero.
By the time Joe drew The Ray his style had cemented itself and his confidence in laying out pages and composing stories was evident.
It contains some of the best work Joe produced at that time.
His distinctive style showcased his ability to convey the emotions of characters. His ability to give each character distinctive features is also evident.
His mastery of visual effects such as energy bursts, explosives and other dynamic effects is masterful, as is he talent for drawing both action and stationary scenes.
Occasionally Joe can be persuaded to draw comic book covers and a few interior pages but the majority of his time is used for promoting and creating projects for Marvel’s various projects such as film, TV, etc.
The Ray #1 can be bought for close to cover price.
Hell spawn and the living dead-it’s a perfect combination!
McFarlane Toys’ Zombie Spawn Regenerated figure combines the best (or should that be the worst?) of both genres.
The bubble pack, six-inch articulated figure is another example of McFarlane Toys’ incredible sculpting detail.
All the markings of Spawn are present except all of Spawn’s costume’s color are muted and a ghastly gray. His cape is a vortex of gray and blood red swirling about his lower body. The cape’s collar is long and specter like with blunted tips and windblown folds.
Spawn’s face is ghastly and skull-like with deep eye sockets, with a no flesh nose-only twin skeleton air passages and Spawn’s teeth grinning menacingly.
Gray putrid skin is drawn back over the teeth giving them a skull-like appearance.
The Spawn figure is mostly unclothed. Its gray, withered flesh is drawn taunt over its musculature and skeleton. Patches of scars, torn flesh and decay are all over its body.
Its cape and oversize collar hang loosely over its body culminating in almost a living swirl around its legs.
What appears to be an additional wraparound piece of garment hangs from the figure’s waist. After closer examination it’s seen to be part of Spawn’s cape.
Leather straps with protruding teeth decorate both of the figure’s arms along with metal studs.
Similar bands with teeth decorate Spawn’s ankles.
Spawn holds in both hands a large sickle attached to metal. A single silver chain hangs from the sickle’s handle ending in a large bloodstained hook.
An additional silver chain hangs from Spawn’s right upper arm leather band with teeth. Several desiccated human skulls hang from it, as does one from Spawn’s right ankle.
The sculpt of the figure is truly astounding with flesh, cloth, metal, leather, bone and figure details clearly distinguishable from one another.
Paint application is varied is multiple shades of gray, red, blue and white.
Paint is applied evenly with no sloppy edges or bleed overs. The figure stands easily with its arms up or down.
It’s a gruesome yet elegant figure with lots of details and superb sculpt, paint application and design. The bubble pack in comes in can either be hung from a hook or stand-alone on a shelf.
When Jim Shooter developed Nintendo/Mario Bros. comic books for Valiant he had big plans in mind.
Determined to make a name for himself in comic books after being sacked at Marvel Comics as editor-in Chief, Jim convinced several artists and writers to help him develop a new comic book universe.
Having obtained the publishing rights to Gold Key’s Magnus Robot Fighter, Doctor Solar and Turok Son Of Stone Jim set out to slowly build a new type of comic book company where quality ruled over quantity.
He started out with six-part mini-series of Magnus, developed a similar mini-series for Doctor Solar and eventually developed Turok into this own book.
Along the way Valiant introduced several new titles such as Rai, Harbinger and X-O Man Of War. Jim and his staff planed on introducing titles slowly.
The initial small print runs of each title caught fans by surprise. Demand soon outweighed supply and Valiant found itself a certified hit.
Unfortunately not long after its success Jim was let go and Valiant began releasing titles too quickly which would eventually undermine its success.
Jim Shooter, Bob Layton and Barry Windsor Smith (the big three of Valiant) along with their editorial staff, decided to create a title-spanning event that tied the entire Valiant Universe together.
What they came up with was time-spanning epic called Unity. The series was introduced with a free Unity #0 and would continue through the mini-series and crossover to each Valiant title.
Top talent in the industry contributed covers and the series became a resounding success.
Because of Valiant’s success and its limited product available of its early issues prices began to rise for its early and incentive issues.
Comic book fans clamored for the issues and when Image Comics entered the fray speculators soon followed.
Valiant and Image early issues soared in value and the companies soon began catering to their fan’s fervor supplying them with special covers, niceties and other ‘collector items’.
Naturally Marvel, DC and other comic book polishers took notice and joined the madness.
Speculators who were interested only in profit began ordering outrageous amounts of comics in the hopes that in a few years their value would increase exponentially and they would walk away with a fortune.
But, after a few years speculators found out just the opposite had happened. Because so many comics were printed their value plummeted. The market became over saturated.
Panic set in and speculators dropped out of the market stranding publishers with millions of unsold comic books.
Sadly Valiant was hit the hardest and after too short of time on top the company folded.
Today the early Valiant issues are once again rising in value because of their scarcity.
One particular Valiant character that was introduced in the back of Magnus Robot fighter was Rai.
The white skin, enhanced Asian assassin was inspired by the legend of Bloodshot. Ironically Rai was introduced before Bloodshot and was pivotal in the launch of the pre-Rai warrior. It was like time working in reverse.
Early Rai appearances are much sought after-especially issues #0 and #1. Currently the issues sell for around $30 for #0 raw and #1 for $50 raw.
Back in sixth grade I discovered that I had the knack for drawing.
I was over at one of my best friend's house. He was working on a diorama of the Civil War and he included a few crude illustrations of Confederate and Union soldiers he had drawn.
I was intrigued and doodled while he completed his project. I noticed that my drawings were much better than his and so began my fascination with art.
For the rest of the school year I drew in the margins of my notebooks, attempted to draw a few superheroes I saw in my comic books and continued to practice after school dismissed for summer break.
That next year, in Junior High seventh grade, I signed up for an art class. My teacher was Mrs. Gray.
What a great teacher, she was such a wonderful encouragement.
She knew I loved comic books and wanted to be a comic book artist or cartoonist. She encouraged my passion and did everything possible to push me in the right direction.
She insisted I study anatomy, perspective, color, line and all of the other elements and principles of design my young mind could comprehend.
She was proud of my work and continually pushed me to try harder.
All that changed when I got in high school.
Ms. Tichenor was my art teacher and while I liked her and enjoyed her class she never liked my cartooning.
She considered herself a ‘fine art’ artist and thought cartooning was sophomoric at best.
Still, I pursued my dream. I proved to her I could also do fine art. I contributed to the school’s art magazine, took part in various art projects and attended the statewide art shows when we took field trips.
I remember spending hours drawing a Conan The Barbarian illustration, complete with an elaborate ancient city in the background. I put my heart and soul into it.
And yet, when it came time to submit artwork for the statewide art competition, Ms. Tichener selected a simple watercolor half-portrait by a fellow student to submit.
I had nothing against the artist but it was obvious that he painted it in only a few minutes. I was upset to say the least.
I was so upset that when class ended (it was my last class of the day) I stormed out and started to walk home instead of taking the bus.
Not long after I left and was about a half a mile from the school my art teacher pulls up in her car. She attempted to apologize (pretty half-heartedly).
Strike one: it took me a long time to recover from that blow.
To make matters worse my own family, except my middle brother, never really understood the whole ‘art’ thing.
I never heard anyone in my family offer any encouragement. Only that I needed to get a real job. Strike two!
Mom was sick all of her life and it seemed that whenever I started to draw something she always needed me ‘right now!’ Is it any wonder I have a love/hate relationship with art?
Fast forward to college-my art teachers had the same opinion of cartooning as my high school teacher and still I pressed on. It went so far that I was literally made fun off by one of my art teachers because of my cartooning. Strike three!
Out of college I managed to get small jobs at print shops, etc. After I met my wife and we moved to Texas I worked for a publishing company. I was one of the staff artists.
While I did do cartooning my manager thought comic books were juvenile and ‘tools’ of the devil. We did not get along. The man had no imagination. Neither did his wife. Strike four!
Two years later my wife and I have moved to Jacksonville, Florida. We stayed with her sister for about a month until I got a job and we moved out. Not long afterward we bought a small home. I worked for an ad agency and was often called on to draw cartoons.
It was an OK job but I found myself doing the lion’s share of the designing and illustration. After eight years there my hours were cut and I got a job in the marketing department of a local credit union.
My boss was a royal pain and one of the sneakiest and dishonest people I ever met. I managed to stick around for another eight years and left before I became his latest victim.
I got a job at Homeside Lending. It was horrible and the worst decision of my life. ‘Nuff said!
One year later I’m at another credit union as its Vice President of Marketing. The job would have been fine except the president of the credit union was a good old boy who micromanaged, held onto the purse strings and never knew what he wanted. It did not end well.
After that I had had enough of marketing and decided to get a teaching job.
Of all of my jobs that is the one I enjoyed the most. I still couldn’t ignite my passion for drawing but I did set fire to a few of my students’ artistic talents and watched them go on to college and great careers.
That leads me to now. I am just now starting to draw again-for no other reason because I want to. No pressure, no deadlines and no one to please.
I draw when the urge hits me. For the first time in my life I feel as if I’m dong something for me regardless of what others think. It sure took long enough!
To quote Jack Nicholson as the Joker in the 1989 Batman movie, “Where does he get those wonderful toys?”
In this case the toys I’m talking about are the large die cast Batmobiles from Johnny Lightning and Mattel.
The Batmobile has always been the coolest piece of crime-fighting equipment whether it is in the movies, on TV on in comic books.
Every version was always ahead of its time when it came to mobile transport.
Both Johnny Lightning and Mattel Toys produced several large scale die cast Batmobiles. In this review I’ll be looking at three: the Batman movie version (1989), the 1950s comic book version and the 1960s comic book version. The first time I saw the Batmobile in the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton I was totally blown away!
I had never seen anything like it before. It certainly wasn’t like the TV show Batmobile.
The Batman film version was huge! Solid black with a heavy body and low profile, the Batmobile looked more like a slimmed down tank than a car.
Mattel recreated the movie Batmobile in 1:18 Scale for its Metal Collection die cast series.
Talk about a beauty!
Starting with the matt black chassis, the long sleek body extends back into twin stabilizing wings in the back. The hood and engine are slightly slanted to the front of the car and the driver's cockpit features a full front tinted window and two small side windows.
The cockpit opens up to reveal two seats, an instrument panel with gauges and screen, a console computer and three shift sticks.
About midway on each side of the hood are two panels that when flipped open reveal gunmetal Gatling guns.
The front of the car has twin red reflectors, a gunmetal turbine engine extension that can be pulled out from the car revealing wiring, etc. All the wheels are gunmetal, as are the exhaust pipes on each side and the turbine exhaust in the back that also includes several exhaust ports. Four taillights are also included.
The car has twin gunmetal gas tank tops, twin air intake scoops-one on each side, air vents behind the driver compartment and various gadgets and vent and screen areas decorating all sides of the vehicle. The car comes on a custom base with securing screws and a Mattel logo.
The box features a full front clear plastic viewing panel and a full Batmobile schematic on its back.
In 2002 Johnny Lightning/Playing Mantis put out a series 1:24 Scale die cast model kits of the Batmobile through the decades.
The second of the series was the 1950’s DC Comic Book Batmobile.
Basically a black sedan, the Batmobile featured a bat symbol on the front of the grill, a round, wraparound windshield, a split rear window and twin rear turbines with a chrome bumpeer.
A chrome bumper and double headlight decorate the front.
On top of the passenger section roof is a large spotlight. The model is pre-painted and ready for assembly.
Once complete the Batmobile has a full interior with twin black seats, a red telephone, full instrument panel, gearshift and a wood grain steering wheel with chrome horn ring. Behind the twin black and red leather seats is a fully equipped crime lab wit a wooden wraparound table a with cabinets, a stool and a collection of crime-fighting equipment along with several pieces of evidence.
The model features real rubber wheels, full undercarriage suspension and loads of details such as a chrome grill, yellow bat symbol eyes and a large fin that runs down the back of the vehicle.
Some pieces are pre-painted while others can be customized such as the wood table, lab equipment and metal floor decking.
It’s a well-crafted model at an affordable price and it comes packaged in a top and front see-thru panel box a separate compartments for the car chassis and additional parts and accessories.
The 1960’s comic book Batmobile took its look from the Batman TV series.
The shape is very similar except the comic book version has a huge bat symbol on it front grill. The familiar horizontal grill lights, headlight and signal are the same. The model has real rubber tires, bat symbol wheels, open cockpit with thin bubble windshields and two seats that are supported by body flairs behind them.
Twin read fins, duel exhausts and taillights make up the rear of the car.
The interior features a full instrumentation dashboard, a red telephone and gear shift. A single red flashing light is mounted between the bubble windshields. The entire car is basically the TV version with a few minor changes.
This next pair of reviews is just for us Baby Boomers.
There was a time when kids kept themselves busy. It did not involve video games, the internet, cable TV, I-Pads, cell phones, personal computers, mega amusement parks, mammoth shopping malls or any of the modern social media platforms we have today.
Kids pretty much played outside, occasionally went to a matinee, very seldom ate at fast food joints, went camping with the family, cherished road trips, were thrilled for a chance to got to the ‘big city’, actually read books and got their kicks from the comical exploits of funny animals or characters in the pages of comic books.
Join me as we travel down Memory Lane to the 1950s when life in America was simpler, families did things together and the simple little things kept us entertained and occupied.
I’ve chosen at random two comic books: one from Dell Comics and one from Hallden Publications.
Join Bugs Bunny and his pals in Dell’s Looney Tunes #205 and Dennis The Menace in Hallden’s A Christmas Bonus The Best Of Dennis The Menace Surprise Package #2.
Dell’s Looney Tunes #205 finds Bugs and Elmer Fudd preparing for a talent show with a grand prize of $100. Now if only Bugs can help Elmer get some much-needed sleep.
Porky Pig desperately tries to earn his relative Cicero’s attention and admiration. Mary Jane and Sniffles learn that a spider’s web makes a great rescue device and Sylvester the Cat discovers that trying to capture Tweety Bird at a zoo gets pretty wild.
Daffy Duck helps a confused hunting dog figure out what hunting season it is, Daffy answers some silly questions and Bugs and Elmer go off key.
Imagine all of these stories and it only cost a dime!
A Christmas Bonus The Best Of Dennis The Menace Surprise Package #2 contains a number of Hallden’s previous Dennis The Menace Christmas stories reprinted in a big annual.
Stories include Dennis Christmas Shopping, Christmas Caroling, delivering Christmas presents, requesting gifts for his dog Ruff and being Santa’s Helper.
Dennis and Mr. Wilson mix it up singing Christmas Carols, Dennis helps his dad pick out a Christmas tree with devastating results, Dennis meets a lot of Santas, opens Christmas presents and gives a few suggestions about preparing for Christmas.
It’s a jolly old time as Dennis proves once again why he’s referred to as a Menace.
What kid could go wrong when for just 25 cents they could join Dennis on his wild escapades?
When the first James Bond film premiered in 1961 and became a worldwide phenomenon a film franchise was born.
James Bond’s popularity spawned cinema imitators: good and some downright horrible.
TV executives noticed and a plethora of spy TV shows popped up.
One TV show chose to parody the whole spy phenomenon. That show: Get Smart, poked fun at spies, espionage and the entire spy genre.
Created by legendary film maker Mel Brooks, the show centered on a totally inept and bumbling spy Maxwell Smart, his female partner Number 99, their boss The Chief and the super secret spy organization CONTROL.
Over the show’s five year run other memorable characters were introduced such as Hymie the Robot, Agent 8, Agent 13, Agent, Agent Larabee, Admiral Harold Harmon Hargrade, Charlie Watkins/Agent 38, Fang/Agent, K-13 a poorly trained CONTROL dog, Hodgkins, Carlson, Dr. Steele and Harry.
Maxwell Smart, Agent 99 and Control were forever at odds with the evil criminal organization KAOS.
Max and Agent 99 were constantly found themselves in dangerous and ridiculous situations. Max's catchphrases included, “Sorry about that!”, “Missed it by that much!” and “The old (fill-in the blank) in the (fill-in the blank) trick!” and others.
The show spawned several TV movies after its cancellation and two theatrical films. A short TV revival was also launched.
Sideshow Collectibles created two figures from the series: Maxwell Smart and The Chief.
Both are fully articulated figures that look exactly like their real life counterparts. Kudos goes out the sculpting crew at Sideshow.
The Sideshow Collectibles’ sculpted likeness to actor Edward Platt as The Chief is remarkable.
The 12-inch figure captures perfectly his dark eyebrows, whimsical and tolerant expression, receding hairline and white hair, deeply etched cheeks and jaw line and his sharp nose and his slightly smiling lips.
The coloration of the figure’s face is very lifelike and with a slight twinkle in its deep-set eyes makes it look almost alive.
The fully articulated figure is easy to pose and move with no binding or looseness. The clothing lays naturally on the figure and never bunches or strains.
Hand articulation is especially good and the figure easily holds the white Golf Shoe Phone
A base is included with the figure along with a support wire. Depending on the pose, the figure can use the stand or not.
The Chief is dressed in a dark gray, wool sports coat with black buttons, a light blue shirt, red tie, light gray slacks and black shoes.
Stitching is scaled to the figure size. The jacket pockets (two with flaps and one at the breast) that actually open, as does the jacket itself.
Also included with the figure is a clear plastic Portable Cone Of Silence with a connecting rod.
The figure is secured in a form-fitting clear plastic cocoon and a single strap clear strip. The box has a flip open lid for displaying the figure and a Get Smart logo and photo of The Chief and Maxwell Smart on the cover.
The back of the box shows both Max and The Chief in full color with accessories in hand and a smaller color photo of them utilizing the Portable Cone Of silence.
The Maxwell Smart 12-inch figure comes in similar packaging and protective plastic cocoon. It also comes with a base and support wire.
Don Adams played the bumbling Agent 86 and the figure looks remarkably like the late actor.
It’s close-cropped black hair, upswept eyebrows, slightly dim eyes, straight nose and comical grin are all there.
Painted flesh tones make the face look real, pliable and lifelike.
The fully articulated figure fits nicely into its wardrobe.
With his double-breasted dark blue suit, light blue shirt and dark multi-color tie and black dress shoes the figure cuts a handsome pose.
Buttons, pockets and stitching is first-rate, scaled to size and folds and creases in the clothing easily move and retain their shape when the figure is posed.
The clotting falls naturally and offers no resistance when the figure is moved.
Included with the figure is another Portable Cone Of Silence and a connecting rod, a black dress shoe with phone and a snub nose revolver.
It’s a fitting 12-inch tribute to Don Adams and his iconic character Maxwell Smart.
Both figures are part of Sideshow’s TV Land series. Currently the figures go for about $50 each. However like all early Sideshow Collectibles figures the prices are sure to rise. It’s best to purchase them soon before they do so.
Fresh of his stint as writer and artist on DC Comics’ Warlord series Mike Grell decided to go off on his own and publish his own creation.
He approached First Comics with a new project about a children’s book author who also happened to be one of the world’s top mercenaries.
Jon Sable (former special ops military) has gone freelance and fights crime for a fee. He wears a special warrior’s mask that successfully puts the fear of God into bad guys.
His latest assignment is to protect the president from an assassination attempt by a former member of Sable’s elite military task force.
Jon Sable's creator Mike Grell was one of the first creators to sign up with First Comics. He would eventually go on to produce another series: Starslayer.
Jon Sable would have a successful run for a number years switching publishers after First ceased publication. Starlsayer would also have a healthy run, again switching publishers.
Grell’s run on DC Comics’ Warlord helped him refine his craft and with the publication of Jon Sable readers took notice of the progression on both his art and storytelling capabilities.
For a short period during the late 1980s a Sable’s TV show was produced, but it only lasted less than a dozen episodes.
After issue #1 Jon Sable’s origin is shared and readers will notice a sizable increase in the title's supporting cast.
Issue #1 sells for less than $5 raw and for a slabbed copy prepare to purchase it for around $45.
You knew it had to happen. It was inevitable and in a quirky kind of way it makes perfect sense.
Take DC Comics’ SHAZAM! (with its light hearted and warm humor) and the LEGO animated movies with their unique twists, unadulterated humor and sight gags and BAM!-you have DC/LEGOWarner Bros.' full-length animated movie on Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Code: SHAZAM! Magic and Monsters.
Comics book fans know the story: young Billy Batson is chosen by the wizard SHAZAM!, to be the champion of the downtrodden, destitute, helpless and endangered. With the magic phrase: SHAZAM!, Billy transforms from a 10-year old boy into the muscle-bound champion of good and virtue SHAZAM!: the Big Red Cheese and the powerful red garbed guardian of goodness.
In SHAZAM! Magic and Monsters SHAZAM! winds up helping the Justice League and they ask him to join the team. There's one catch though: they need to know his secret identity.
But, that can wait. SHAZAM! takes on some magical threats, the JUSTICE League is transformed into kids as a result and guess who shows up to crash the party? Black Adam of course, SHAZAM!’s sworn enemy.
Throw in some hilarious kids trying to act like adults, Billy’s talent for flubbing thing ups and The Society Of Evil and you’ve got a rock ‘em, sock ‘em movie which pours on the magic, releases the monsters and hits all the right places on your funny bone.
Included with the movie are three hilarious extras, What are they? Awww, that would be telling! Pick up your copy today.
Did I mention that there is a free LEGO SHAZAM! mini-figure included? Oh yeah!
Actress Angelina Jolie was just beginning her acting career. She had scored a few minor movie hits and Hollywood was taking notice of the raven hair beauty.
Her tempestuous personal and public life was showing up in the tabloids and her nefarious and somewhat questionable romantic relationships were fuel for gossip.
In the early 2000s Angelina starred in a duo of Tomb Raider movies based on the video game.
She was the perfect fit for Lara Croft, the star of game.
After months of physical, tactical and stunt training Angelina embraced the role and wound up with not one, but two, certifiable movie hits.
Both Lara Croft 6-inch figures come from the second film: The Cradle Of Life.
It’s a real shame that toy manufacturer SOTA Toys and Collectibles is no longer around. The company introduced some really innovative 6-inch action figure articulation points such as hip and chest rotations, clean wrist and ankle points and hidden points concealed by cloth folds and natural human figure bends and rotation areas.
The standard Lara Croft figure comes dressed in a sleeveless white t-shirt, tan jacket with red piping and insignia, tan/gray slacks, heavy brown boots with leather straps and twin gun holsters with leg strap downs and a large belt with a gold buckle.
Both arms detach and can be replaced with bare arms with a wristwatch on her left wrist. This gives Lara her video game look. The body of her jacket then becomes a vest.
The head sculpture looks exactly like Jolie with her angular face and high cheekbones, pulled back hair and intense eyes.
Hand sculpts are very delicate and each set of hands easily hold the twin revolvers that come with the figure.
Articulation is on the wrists, elbows, hips, waist, neck and head, shoulders knees and ankles. All are cleverly camouflaged and allow the figure to pose freestanding in various positions.
The packaging consists of a clear bubble pack with an interior cocoon that the figure and accessories fit into. A large circular stone edifice backs the figure and the Tomb Raider logo shows predominantly on the upper third of the pack.
The Lara Croft In Wetsuit is the most sought after all of the figures and for good reason.
The form-fitting light gray wetsuit really sets off Lara's figure in all the right places.
Lara wears her braided hair over her left shoulder and her features are just as recognizable as the standard Lara Croft figures as are the details on her hands, articulation and color application right down to her red lips and skin tone variation.
The figure comes with a single leather holster with thighs straps and tie, laced knee boots, a white knife sheath on Lara’s right lower leg, a knife, flare gun, pistol with silencer, shoulder mounted light, shoulder packs and ancient box with cryptic text.
Lara also wears fingerless gloves. It’s a remarkable example of sculpting, carefully executed articulation mechanics and intense attention to details.
The Standard Lara Croft figure sells for around $60 and the Wetsuit figure for $100.
Back in the mid-1970s BSW (Before Star Wars) Hollywood periodically put out some above average science fiction films.
One such film: Logan’s Run, starred Michael York and Peter Ustinov.
York plays Logan an age enforcer for a society that kills off anyone over 30. When Logan turns 30 he rebels and he, along with a young woman, attempt to escape one of several cities where the ‘over 30’ laws are enforced.
The movie is about the flight to freedom and what they discover.
Marvel Comics acquired the comic book rights to the film.
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Back in that period many now famous comic book artists got their start: John Byrne, Bernie Wrightson, Craig Russell and a plethora of up and coming talent.
One such artist, a young man named George Perez, got his start at Marvel Comics at that time-he was barely out of his teens.
Obviously his style was developing and yet there were indications of the artist he would become. While not yet polished George's art did display much of the detail he is known for along with some unusual page layouts.
His figures were somewhat bulky and clunky but as the series progressed so did George's style and proficiency at drawing humans.
Relative newcomer inker Klaus Jansen aided George. His inks really helped polish George’s pencils.
I recommend any young artist who is hoping to become a comic book artist (or illustrator for that matter) to do some research.
Find a favorite artist’s earlier work and study how their style, technique and expertise grew over the years.
No one starts out as a polished artist. It takes hard work, perseverance and patience. Be open to criticism, suggestions and any opportunity to display your work.
It takes a lot of determination, blood, sweat and tears to make it in any art profession. Stick with it, take chances, being willing to change and never take things personally.
Comic book art requires professionalism. It is a job like any other and needs to be treated like the business it is.
Competition breeds determination, growth and improvement. Don’t be a afraid to make mistakes (learn from them) or to try something different. It won’t be easy, but anything worthwhile takes the effort.
Have you ever seen a toy series that you wish had never ended?
Two come to mind.
The Micro Machines Space Star Trek: The Next Generation miniatures and The Playmates Toys Innerspace series were great toys that I wish were still being produced.
Three miniature vehicles come in the Micro Machines Space Star Trek: The Next Generation bubble pack.
All three miniatures are nicely sculpted with an amazing amount of detail considering the size of each.
First up is U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1791-C seen in the episodes “Yesterday’s Enterprise”.
The second vehicle is the Borg Cube painted in black and gray with lots of surface details depicting exterior structures.
The final vehicle is a Ferengi Marauder painted a light brown with tan accents. The crescent shaped ship also has white accent lines representing its engines.
All three miniatures come with special transparent stands for display.
The entire line of Micro Machines Space miniatures consists of eight, three ship collections from the various TV series and movies.
From the Playmates Toys Star Trek Innerspace Series comes the Cardassian Galor-Class Warship Mini Playset. This clever little ship is an exact duplicate of the Warship seen in Deep Space Nine.
Included with the ship are two mini figures: Odo and Gul Dukat.
The small ship folds out to reveal a Command Chair, several Work Stations with screens and controls and rotating View Screen.
Both figures can be seated in the lower and upper fold out sections. A mini-ship clip-out Spec Card is also included.
The Ferengi Marauder Mini Playset also includes two figures: Captain Jean-Luc Picard and a Ferengi.
It is a miniature duplicate of a Ferengi spacecraft and it opens up to reveal a Command Chair, Control Station, Secret Access Panel and Secret Floor Panel. Both figures fit inside.
Both the Ferengi and Cardassian spaceship are loaded with interior and exterior details, features nice paint application-especially on the small figures and are cleverly engineered and designed to open and close.
Who better than Disney movie productions to bring the worldwide children’s book sensation Artemis Fowl to the big screen? Join author Brian Sibley and Disney Editions as they explore the process by which the boy genius's adventures are translated to film in a wonderful new book. What
happens when science and magic collide? Ask Artemis Fowl as he
explores the many mysteries that surround us, fights off clever enemies
and joins his friends on some truly amazing and outrageous adventures.
Discover
how the sets for the film were conceived and made, how the casting
decisions for various characters in the film were decided, costume
designs, special effects (both physical and digital), the music, the
locations scouting, set decorations and design and much more.
The Art And Making Of Disney Artemis Fowl
has it all wrapped up in a deluxe hardbound book, filled with color
photos, sketches, color pre-production art, commentaries and lots of
insider information and secrets.
It’s a grand book about a grand
story starring a boy genius whose fertile imagination and unfettered
determination make for extraordinary adventures.
Back in the early 1980s when the Direct Sales Market was starting to kick into high gear a number of small comic book publishers began releasing titles.
One such company: Pacific Comics, released some high-quality color comic books. Pacific contracted a number of high profile artists and writers and turned out some impressive books.
One of its titles: Alien Worlds, featured a gallery of incredible tales as written and draw by top talent of the time.
Issue # sported a beautiful full color painting by then up and coming talent Chiodo. Al Williamson delivered the first piece where things are not always what they seem.
Bruce Jones and Val Mayerik told a tale where modern civilization succumbs to savagery. In Head Of The Class robots learned what happens when heads turn. Tim Conrad provided the pencils for a story of a Teddy Bear that never gives up.
In issue two fans were treated to an early Dave Stevens cover and some amazing interior art. Ken Steacy was caught in a Vicious Circle and in horrifying tale of a long overdue family reunion Bruce Jones provided the story and art.
Alien Worlds harkened back to the day of EC Comics. It’s just too bad that Pacific Comics published for only a few years.
Both issue #1 and #2 can be bought for about $5 each for raw copies and $15 for slabbed copies.
E-Bay, Amazon, Craigslist and Facebook have destroyed comic book collecting.
Perhaps destroyed is too strong a word. It’s more like severely deformed it.
It’s too easy to collect comic books (and for that matter any other collectible). All the fun has been taken away.
The thrill of the hunt, the sense of accomplishment and the luck of the draw have no place in modern comic book collecting.
To me the hunt is half the fun. Finding cool, old comic books is the other half.
I used to be able to go to garage sales, flea markets, antique stores and Salvation Army and Goodwill stores and find comic books.
And I’m not talking about recent releases. I’m talking big time collectibles. Classic stuff like early Marvel and DC Comics, Gold Key, Dell and other Silver and Bronze Age comic books. Occasional some Golden Age.
The stuff you pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for now. With the introduction of online sites everyone is aware of old comic books and collectibles. And, because of online sites, the prices have escalated to outrageous levels.
Couple that with the overabundance of ‘grading services’ and what was once a fun hobby has turned into big business demanding high prices.
Comic book collecting has become the domain of speculators and investors.
It is ridiculous that comic books that were less than $50 20 years ago are now selling for thousands of dollars-some for five and six figures!
Really!? Comic books? The problem is that the Internet has made it too easy and simple to collect. There’s no challenge anymore. If you have the money you can purchase whatever you want.
Where’s the thrill of the chase? All you need now is to save up money and ‘Wham, bam, thank you mam!’, and you can purchase comic books from all over the world.
I’m sorry; I’m too much of a nickel and dime sort of guy. I want the thrill of finding something for cheap-not to resell or make a fortune off of-just to read and enjoy.
I would never (and I stress never) pay more than $5 for any comic book. I’d don’t have that kind of disposable income.
Collecting comic books is not a hobby anymore. It is a race to see who has the latest and greatest, highest graded and bragging rights.
Whatever happened to sharing your hobby with others? The excitement of shopping around and possibly finding a rare comic book that you’ve looked for and wanted for years.
It’s not about the hobby anymore-it’s about the money-pure and simple.
What few conventions I go to are packed with vendors that practically have dollar signs for their eyes. Conventions are no longer enjoyable to me. They used to be events where fans got together to talk and share.
More and more they’re about who can get the best deal and screw over someone else or beat them to the best deal.
No thank you. I’d rather stay at home, read my old comic books, write reviews about them and enjoy them. Isn’t that the point of any hobby-to enjoy it?
Occasionally I’ll still go to garage sales and hope I find something. Those days are quickly fading away.
Collecting has progressed to the point that it’s no longer about the thrill of the hunt. It’s more about making a killing for the cash and eliminating the competition.
One of the first figures Hot Toys released once under distribution contract with Sideshow Collectibles was its oversize packaged Aliens Warren Officer Ellen Ripley 12-inch figure.
The Ripley figure comes in a metallic print, slipcase cover with flip lid box.
Once opened the inner box showcases only a portion of Ripley and her accessories using clever diecut sections covered in clear plastic.
To view and access the full entourage the box’s lid must be opened and the inner box slid out.
The outer sleeve features a full face photo of the Ripley figure on its front and a trio of photos of the figure, with weapons and accessories on its back,
The inner box also features a head shot of Ripley.
Inside the slip in case the display box also has a slip in plastic cocoon in two layers.
The top layers contain the Ripley figure disassembled and her various accessories and upper jump suit.
Below that in a separate cocoon section are Ripley’s trousers, feet/boots, assembly instructions and the Aliens base with wire support.
Earlier Hot Toys figures required toy collectors to assemble the figures, clothe them and place accessories and weapons on the figure.
The female figure is broken down into various articulated parts.
The torso and upper legs feature shoulder ball and socket swivels, waist overlapping swivel, upper arm biceps and triceps swivels, hip ball and socket joints and upper leg swivels.
Lower arms are snap in and hinge swivels with wrist pop-ins for the gloved hands, knee pop and hinge swivels for the booted feet.
Ripley’s head snaps onto the neck post and swivels.
All articulation points are tight, some feature screws for secure fits, snap into place with little effort, stay in place and are smoothly engineered to move natural.
Starting with Ripley’s head-the features look exactly like Sigourney Weaver’s. Her short cropped brown hair, although plastic, lays in natural clumps and parts.
The head’s eyes are bright blue but are lacking the reflective sheen in later Hot Toys figures. Ripley’s small pointed nose and slightly red thin lips look natural and accurate. Skin color is varied. The eyelashes are clearly seen as are eyelids and eyebrows. The head pops onto the torso neck for full natural rotation.
Included with the figure is Ripley’s cache of weapons as seen in the Aliens film. Both the machine gun and projectile/flame thrower gun are attached together by cloth straps and tape.
The projectile/flame thrower rifle has large cooling holes in its barrel, an upper handle grip, large stock handle and a flammable liquid canister that attaches or removes. Ten silver with red strip incendiary canisters are also included that attach to Ripley‘s ammo belt loops.
The machine gun has an extendable stock, a slide cock that works and a removable clip, a handle grip and a taped on flashlight.
Each rifle can be carried by a single shoulder strap.
Detailing is precise, with clips, slides, triggers, vents and other weapon details completely accurate.
An additional high-tech handgun is included with touch pad, removable scanner with tracking screen, a large grip and a shoulder strap.
A targeting scope with a flat panel and rifle grip comes with a strap and a movable scanner.
A munitions satchel comes with a strap and fold-over top to secure the contents, The extra incendiary canister can be stored in it.
Ripley’s light blue jacket comes with a white short sleeve undershirt. The jacket has a short collar, two chest pockets and one left arm pocket, working zippers, a Velcro waist strap and shoulder strap snaps.
A black harness comes with the jacket and has working clips, buckles and riveted reinforcements. The t-shirt and jacket fit easily over the figure.
Ripley’s blue pants include lower leg zippers. Two front pockets with flaps, upper torso pockets with zippers and a buckle waist clip.
Mid-calve red and white boots are included. They look worn and used and slip smoothly onto the figure’s feet. The pants snug up easily aided by the lower leg zippers.
Clothing hangs realistically on the figure in any pose and is easy to remove and clothe the figure.
All the latches, zippers, buckles and various closure appliances work.
Lastly Ripley’s hands are covered by fingerless leather gloves. The hands grip the various weapons and accessories and hold them securely without slippage.
Overall it is a remarkable figure with accessories, is scaled correctly and with working parts snaps and more.
Over the past several years the Spider-Man Universe has expanded into other alternate dimensions.
Tagged as the ‘Spider-Verse’ the various alternate universes have their own unique Spider-Persons.
In the Spider-Verse mini-series readers were introduced to Spider-Gwen, Silk, Spider-Noir, Spider-Ham, Spider-Mecha, Miles Morales and a hint that there are literally thousands of other Spider-People scattered across the infinite Spider-Verse.
Oddly the one true alternate Spider-Person introduced to readers over 20 years ago is absent.
That person is May Parker, the daughter of Mary Jane and Peter Parker.
May, like her father, possesses spider powers and uses them to fight the bad guys-some classic Spider-Man foes and some unique enemies of her own.
May was introduced in What If? #105 and became an instant favorite of Marvel Comics Spider-Man fans.
Later that same year she was given her own title starting with issue #0 that reprinted What If? #105 for fans that missed it. Her #1 issue soon premiered afterwards.
Over the years May Parker has been spotted in a few Marvel titles but as I stated before she is absent from the recent Spider-Verse Universe.
I find it extremely odd that May, who in effect is a canon character deeply entrenched in the Marvel Spider-Man, mythos is not present.
Perhaps since she is a character who resides in the future of the ‘real’ Spider-Man Universe that is the reason why she is absent.
What If? #105 currently goes for about $60 raw and $120 slabbed. Issue #0 can be bought for about $10 raw and $70 slabbed. Issue #1 sells for around $8 raw and $40 slabbed.
During World War I the world had entered the arena of sky combat. Old bi and tri wing airplanes with crude armament and weapons dominated the skies fighting in aerial combat that tended to look more like aerial gymnastics.
Beside aerial acrobatics early aircraft strafed ground forces, dropped handheld bombs and caused general mayhem.
One of the top aerial combat aces who racked up an impressive list of kills was Manfred Von Rishthofen or as he is famously known as The Red Baron.
Sideshow Collectibles produced a 12-inch deluxe figure of the famous Baron as part of its Bayonets & Barbwire military series in 2005.
For a complete history of The Red Baron check out the inside flap of the Sideshow Collectibles box the figure comes in.
I really like the logo and design of The Red Baron box. Color and archival photos of both the real life Baron and the Sideshow figure decorate all sides.
The figure itself, along with its accessories, are safely covered by a clear plastic viewing panel and are tucked away in a form fitting plastic cocoon, with additional plastic straps to hold the figure in place. Behind the cocoon is a full panel photograph montage of scenes from WWI.
The figure looks remarkably like the Red Baron with his deep set and intense eyes, sharp Germanic nose, close cropped hair and stern look.
Color application is tonal giving the face a real flesh look.
Except for the hands the entire figure is dressed in a German uniform.
Clothing includes black, knee high Calvary boots, an officer’s cap, Uhian tunic, Uhian breeches that flair at the upper thighs, a white silk scarf, a leather flight jacket with a fur collar, reinforced pockets and buttons, an officer’s brown leather belt with copper color buckle, and R.B. flying goggles and leather flying hood.
Other accessories include a cigarette, pilot’s badge, Iron Cross ribbon and medal and Blue Max medal.
I have to hand to the Sideshow artists and sculptors. The attention to detail of the clothing and accessories is amazing.
The jacket has buttons, pockets open, the tunic has double layer cloth and to scale stitching and includes metal shoulder epaulettes.
All of the clothing fits the figure perfectly with realistic folds and creases and shifts and reacts like real clothing when the figure is posed or positioned. The goggles fit easily over the figure’s face and the flying hood slips over the head with no resistance and secures in place.
The officer’s hat sits at a slight tilt on the head, the leather jacket fits over the inner tunic without grabbing or resisting and the figure’s hands hold all the accessories and cigarette easily with no slippage or difficulty.
The boots have a dull shine as expected for military boots and the figure stands and poses without assistance. The belt buckle works!
It’s an extremely accurate historical reproduction and really captures the look of The Red Baron and the period clothing and accessories.
Imagine working for Walt Disney Productions for almost six decades.
What a life it must have been to wake up every morning to the creativity, imagination, groundbreaking technological breakthroughs and dreams unfettered.
Marty Sklar lived such a life.
Starting out as a reporter/writer for Walt Disney he soon graduated to bigger and better things. Eventually he found himself in the enviable position of creative director for many of the rides and attractions found in all the Walt Disney theme parks from all over the world.
In Travels With Figment On The Road In Search Of Disney Dreams, longtime Disney Legend and Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar pens his last work.
In the Disney Editions book Marty recalls his many adventures, travels and other experiences over the decades working for and promoting Walt Disney theme parks and attractions.
Filled with wonderful memories the book also contains many document facsimiles, tributes and photos commemorating Marty’s many accomplishments. It’s a real insider look at Disney's many attractions and accomplishments.
Never fear! The Covid-19 virus may have shut down Disney World, but only temporarily.
Soon the gates will swing open and once again visitors from all over the world will marvel at the many rides, attractions, restaurants and wonderful surprises at Disney World.
What better way to plan your vacation than by purchasing Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World The Official Vacation Guide 2020?
The book contains information about every park and attraction at Disney World. Discover the best restaurants and learn all about the rides and attraction and more.
Do you need a place to stay? There are lots of suggestions in there too!
There’s even a whole section about the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attractions.
Look for lots of tips, tons of information and also included inside are $400 worth of coupons.
Filled with photos, maps and even a note section, the book is the ultimate self-help guide to the biggest and best attraction in the world. Pick up a copy today!
George Perez is known as the comic book artist who can draw anything and fit more stuff on a page than ever thought possible. He is the 'King of Clutter'.
His talent for innovative page layouts, realistic figures and settings and his unlimited imagination are well known.
As a young man George started working primarily for Marvel Comics. As his work progressed he gained more confidence and as a result he took more chances with his art and soon became famous for his ‘cluttered’ pages.
In my opinion George’s work began to define itself while he worked on The Fantastic Four during the late 1970s.
An example that really showcases his maturing style is Fantastic Four # 184. The cover alone exemplifies George’s style and imagination.
Take a look at the character design of that issue’s protagonist: The Eliminator. Take about detail!
The entire cover screams craftsmanship and talent. The interior is no less impressive.
Issue #187 ratchets up the details with the cover starring Klaw as he attacks the FF. The unusual cover layout spotlights the FF and Klaw as seen through the legs of another foe.
An example of George’s cluttered look can been seen by the equipment and wreckage the FF and Klaw play against. The interior art is just as impressive as the cover.
Both issues in raw, mint condition can be purchased for around $10 each.
