Jack Kirby’s DC Comics Fourth World Plus

In 1970 the comic book community was shocked when it discovered that longtime Marvel Comics artist Jack Kirby left the Bullpen and signed an exclusive contract with Marvel’s Distinguished Competition: DC Comics.

Kirby left Marvel over creative rights and money.  The last couple of years he worked for Marvel he found himself relegated as simple hired help even though both he and Stan Lee had created the bulk of Marvel’s characters and stories.

Stan Lee was officially dubbed: The Face and Voice of Marvel, while Kirby was shuffled off to the side and basically ignored.

Kirby had had enough and when the offer came from DC Comics to jump ship he was all in.

At first Jack was given complete creative control.  He wrote and drew what is now dubbed “The Fourth World.”  

Jack started out slow and introduced his cosmos-spanning epic in the pages of all things Jimmy Olsen Superman’s Pal.

From there he created The Forever People, The New Gods and Mister Miracle-all of which tied into a cohesive whole.

Fans were thrilled, as was DC Comics.  Unfortunately in less than a year sales were lagging and both DC and fans complained that while Kirby's vision was impressive, how he pulled it off was confusing, inconsistent and often unclear.

Before long the epic was cancelled and Kirby found himself in a similar situation that he had when he left Marvel.

DC relegated him to second tier creations that lacked the Kirby fire of The Fourth World.

Jack turned out The Demon, Atlas, Sandman, OMAC, The Losers and a myriad of other less inspired titles.

Before long, disgruntled and discouraged, Kirby let DC Comics and with his tail between his legs returned to Marvel where he created a few less than memorable titles.  He drew and wrote stints on Captain America, Black Panther, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Machine Man, Devil Dinosaur, The Eternals and a plethora of covers.

After a few years it was evident that the old Kirby magic was fading and that a new generation of artists and writers were overshadowing The King Of Comics.

Kirby had a final blowout with Marvel and shifted his efforts to some forgettable independent titles.  As his drawing become more primitive and his stories less cohesive Kirby eventually disappeared from comic book pages and not long afterwards passed away.

Sadly Jack would never see the full impact his Fourth World Saga had on DC Comics and the mega-hit movies inspired by his wild imagination and concepts for Marvel.

Animated Movie: Superman Man Of Tomorrow

From DC Comics and Warner Bros. comes the latest DC Universe Movie: Superman Man Of Tomorrow 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo Pack.

In this thrilling retelling of Superman’s origin, childhood and time at The Daily Planet as reporter Clark Kent, the movie offers new insights and facts about The Man Of Steel.

Plus Lobo, The Martian Manhunter, Lex Luthor and Parasite make an appearance.

The story opens as young Clark Kent struggles with his alien origin.

Years later Clark is a newspaper reporter apprentice and witnesses the sudden arrival of Lobo, the interstellar bounty hunter, who is looking to collect the bounty on the last Kryptonian-Clark Kent.

After a fierce battle Clark manages to defeat Lobo but not before one of Lobo's biological weapons infects a janitor and turns him into the energy vampire-Parasite.

J’onn J’onzz makes his presence known to Clark and encourages him to hide his alien nature.  Instead Clark decides to reveal to the world his alien heritage as Superman.

When the Parasite begins killing people and destroying energy sources to feed his insatiable appetite, Superman reluctantly requests the assistance of Lex Luthor and his new employee-Lobo.

Together the three battle the Parasite and before long The Martian Manhunter joins the fray.

Superman Man Of Tomorrow is a spectacular animated movie that brings a breath of fresh air to the Superman mythos.

Incredible action, amazing animation, a topnotch roster of voice actors and a great story all combine to make it must-have for any superhero or Superman fan.

Superheroines: Batgirl and Batwoman

It seems female super heroines are all the rage nowadays.  

Black Widow, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, The Birds of Prey and the Marvel and DC comic book heroines are super popular and rightly so.

Why should super heroes get the entire spotlight and credit?

At one time super heroine action figures sold only a fraction of the superhero figures.  Not so anymore.  If anything they are the most sought after of all the action figures.

Check it out for yourself.  Try to find key super heroine toy figures when a new set comes out.  It’s not impossible but far more difficult than finding male good guys or villains.

I’ve selected three different Batgirls and one Batwoman from DC Direct’s line of action figures.

First up is the Showcase Presents Series 1 Action Figures Batgirl based on the Silver Age Batgirl introduced in the 1960s.

Batgirl is dressed in a solid black body suit with a blue and black cowl, blue cape, yellow gloves, utility belt, boots and bat symbol on her chest.  A red pouch with a black bat symbol hangs from her belt on her right side.

Her gloves have three bat ‘wings‘, her belt has a yellow bat symbol buckle and various small canisters for carrying various crime-fighting devices.

Batgirl's face is practically covered revealing only her blue eyes, her nose, lower jaw and red lips.  Her red hair extends out from underneath her cowl from the back.

The articulated figure is nicely sculpted are captures Batgirl's sleek figure.

A purple base is included that the figure can stand on with the aid of two prongs that clip underneath her boots into two holes.

Paint application is crisp, finely defined and vibrant.  Articulation is well hidden and tight with smooth movement.

The packaging is a bubble pack with a full side and front view.  An illustration of the 1960s Batgirl is on the right side.  Other figures from the series are spotlighted on the back of the bubble pack.
 

The second Batgirl comes from DC Direct’s Elseworlds Finest Series 3 Action Figures set.

She is also attired almost entirely in black with a large gold bat symbol on her chest, oversize silver shoulder armor, silver gauntlets and silver shin guards and a segmented silver and gold utility belt.

Only her lower face shows accented by her deep red lips and solid white eye slits.  She wears a long flowing black cape.

Included with the figure is a large exotic silver rifle.  The figure’s clenched hands easily hold the weapon.  Also included is a custom Batgirl solid black stand.

The articulated figure is the most sultry of the three Batgirl figures and it shows in her pose with one hip slightly tilted and with her legs planted in a battle stance.

Figure three of the Batgirl is from the Justice League Series by DC Direct.

Once again Batgirl is dressed in a full black body suit.  Her red hair and red lips really stand out against the black.

She wears elbow length yellow gloves, a yellow utility belt, boots (with bat symbols top cut ins), cape and bat symbol on her chest.

This figure is also fully articulated and comes with a black and silver stand and with a bat symbol Batarang.  

This is the only Batgirl figure that comes in a box that can either hang or stand on a shelf.

The lone Batwoman articulated figure is part of the Superman/Batman Vengeance Action Figures Series 4.

She is based on a Ed McGuiness illustration and is the most stylized of the figures.

Her attire is the same colors as the traditional Batman outfit of gray and black.

Gray leotards are covered by thigh height black boots, black wing tipped lower arm gloves, black trunks, a black cap and black cowl with solid white eye slits.

A large black bat symbol on her chest and a gold utility belt with pouches fits tightly over her hips.

Her lower face is the only flesh that shows and her black lips intensify the look of her outfit.

 A separate red and black Superman/Batman symbol is also included.

All four of the figures are nicely sculpted, cleverly articulated and feature superb paint application.

Jerry Ordway: Infinity Inc.

During the 1980s DC Comics was on a roll with its Direct Sales Market only comic book releases.  Having proved to be profitable DC Comics slowly began introducing more titles as time progressed.

Writers Roy and Dann Thomas and artist Jerry Ordway had teamed up on DC Comics All-Star Squadron title and were ready to move on.

They teamed up to produce a new title: Infinity Inc., which starred the children of Golden and Silver age superheroes.

I had the good fortune to meet Jerry Ordway while he was still working for Bill Black’s Americomics.  It was obvious from the start that Jerry was an incredibly gifted artist.

After a short time he began work at DC Comics on All-Star Squadron assisting artist Rich Buckler.  When Rich left the title Jerry stepped in and took the series to new heights.

I remember Jerry as being a very kind, quiet and creative person.  I few years back I contacted him via Facebook and he still remembered our meeting.  

Since working for Americomics Jerry went on to produce some incredible comic books for the Big 2 and smaller publishers.

His slick polished style and complete mastery of the human figure and anything else he sets his mind to is impressive and amazing.  He still produces work today but not in such a large quantity.

I’d love to see more of his work as he brings a whole new perspective to any project he works on.

It was a time of expansion at DC Comics.  While the past was respected and established continuity adhered to, changes were in the air.

Infinity Inc. was released only one year before the Crisis On Infinite Earths by Perez and Wolfman.  That maxi-series would change everything.

Infinity Inc. was a precursor to Crisis. Hints of change were laced throughout the series in preparation for Crisis.

Infinity Inc. changed little after the Crisis because of its new roster of characters.  Their birthright teams altered and in some cases never existed in part.

Roy Thomas was in top form.  His vast knowledge of comic book history (in this case DC Comics history) served him well in Infinity Inc.   The series would run for four years.  Jerry Ordway would remain on the title for most of the run while Roy and Dann Thomas would remain until the series was cancelled.

Toy Action Figures: Savage Dragon

Way back in the early 1990s a group of young artists that worked for Marvel Comics had had enough of Marvel reaping all of the rewards and credit for the art they were producing.

In a bold and controversial step they struck out on their own and created Image Comics.

One of the artists: Erik Larsen, both wrote and drew his own creation: Savage Dragon.

Erik Larsen is well known for his strong opinions and confrontations with other creators.  While his art is not as polished as some he still turns out a viable product, on time and with lots of enthusiasm.

The Savage Dragon comic book is still being polished and that’s an accomplishment in of itself.

Personally I never cared that much for the character but I do respect what Larsen has done.  Few writers/artists can boast of such an accomplishment.

In the mid-1990s the toy industry took notice of the various Image properties and a number of them produced Image action figures.

In the case of Savage Dragon, Playmates Toys produced a series of Savage Dragon action figures and incorporated them into its already popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line of figures.

Since it was part of the TMNT toyline the Savage Dragon action figures looked a little heavy and clunky compared to most action figures manufactured by different toy companies.  It made perfect sense.

Regardless of its bulkiness the Battle Damage Savage Dragon figure it has nicely sculpted features, excellent paint application and partial articulation restricted to the torso, hips, shoulders and neck.

It’s all there: the big green head fin, large bulging muscles, the bare chest, huge vein-popping hands, tight fitting blue jeans with a black belt with silver buckle, the humongous shoulders, gold badge, sleeveless brown trench coat and black boots.

The Battle Damage Dragon stands defiant with his large fanged mouth open and fists clenched.

Included with the Dragon is an oversize gray baton and double clip sawed-off shotgun gun-both of which the Savage Dragon can hold easily. An additional plug-on battle-damaged arm also comes with the figure.

Backing up the figure is a mini comic book with a custom cover by Simon Bisley and Erik Larsen.

The She-Dragon figure features the golden hair, curvaceous reptile woman with her hips slightly tilted and her strong arms ending in clenched fists.

She wears an iridescent one-piece outfit is blue and silver and knee boots of the same color.

Her face sculpt showcases her classic features and long flowing yellow hair.

Included with the figure is her battle armor consisting of huge silver shoulder pads/harness, a black and silver shoulder mounted multi-Gatling gun, missile launcher, handgun with laser light and clip-on ankle rockets.

She is the most impressive of the two figures as the sculptor took special care to sculpt her muscles and structure in perfect proportions.  The figure is partially articulated

She also includes a special comic book with a custom cover by Dave Johnson.

Both figures are nicely sculpted and painted and come in square bubble packs that hang or stand.

Additional Savage Dragon and Barbaric figures come in the set along with the TMNT in battle gear.

Diamond Previews, September 2020

 

Protect Your Collection: Comic Book Showcase

If you’re a comic book collector like myself you like to show off your collection-or lease certain issues.

I’ve tried displaying my key comic books using regular comic book bags and boards but only wound up disappointed and a little nervous.

Bags and boards are fine for storing in boxes but try setting them up on shelves or creating a display and they just don’t look right.

And of course there's always that chance that the comic books displayed in comic book bags and boards will fall on the floor, get damaged and even worse someone will pull them down to look at them and mangle them.

Perish the thought!  Just thinking about that possibility sends shivers up my spin!

BCW Supplies has the perfect solution; Comic Book Showcases are perfect for not only protecting your valuable or key comic books but for displaying them also.

Be it at home, at a show/convention or even if you want to use them just to store comic books they are the perfect solution.

Recently BCW (https://www.bcwsupplies.com/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?sku=1-CBS) sent me a few samples that includes Showcases for Current, Modern/Current, Regular/Silver and Silver comic books.

Each Comic Book Showcase comes in a flat black box decorated on the cover with a photo of the box containing a comic book.

Each box can be stacked or hung and has easy slid in and slide out flaps.

The Showcases consists of a recessed black heavy plastic panel. A comic book sits firmly in the Showcase with just a little wiggly room.

It allows just enough air to circulate to keep the enclosed comic book crisp, clean and dry.

A clear plastic panel snaps into place over the front of the Showcase base with recessed hinges at the bottom and a snap tab at the top for easy insertion and removal.

The Showcase is contained in a clear plastic sleeve inside the box to protect it from scratches and damage.

Most Showcases are UV Protected, feature a V-Hook in the back for hanging on a wall and best of all are rugged enough to protect the enclosed comic book from damage in case there is an accident.

I have a few ‘key’ comic books I cant wait to display!

Well-designed, attractive, rugged and easy to use and access-who could ask for anything more.  It’s a comic book lover’s dream come true!

Seal Team and Gunsmoke

From CBS/Paramount comes two TV series DVD collections that examine law enforcement in the past and the present.

You know him from the Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel and Bones TV series.

Actor David Boreanaz stars in Season Three of the new military themed TV series Seal Team.

Over 20 episodes on 5-discs Seal Team leader Jason Hayes (Boreanaz) leads his men on dangerous missions overseas in their search and destroy assignments to take out terrorists and bad guys.

Along the way personal conflicts, at home trials and bureaucratic and military stumbling blocks detract from their mission.

Yet, despite it all they work as a team and complete their assigned missions.

In this time of global conflict, the threat of foreign and domestic terrorism and the rise of fanatical and often violent forces the Seal Team doggedly presses on.

The special DVD Collection also includes over 25 minutes of Special Features including a featurette, and more.

For 20 years the TV Western series Gunsmoke thrilled audiences with its adventures, humor, danger, action, personal character conflicts, rugged portrayal of the Old West and most of all the friendship of its stellar cast.

Even after it went of the air Gunsmoke was popular in repeats and maintained a loyal audience.

The series proved so popular that three Gunsmoke movies were produced starring most of the original cast.

Sadly several cast members passed away during the production of the.

One consistent character, Marshal Matt Dillon, as portrayed by actor James Arness, returned and he lead viewers through a series of three films.

In the Gunsmoke Movie Collection Marshal Dillon is stabbed and slowly recovers as a ghost from his past returns.

In another film retired Marshall Dillon learns he has a daughter that has been kidnapped by Indians and in the final film Matt Dillon finds himself in the middle of a range war.

All the films did well in the ratings and now all three movies are together in one DVD package courtesy of CBS/Paramount.

Time To Vent!

Ok, I’ve had enough!

I check out YouTube-who doesn’t?

I like to see what’s coming out as far as toys and comic books are concerned.

But, please, PLEASE, stop labeling sites as review sites when most are nothing more than fanboy babblings!

To say you like or dislike something and showing a couple shots of a comic book cover or a turntable view of a toy is not a review!

Just in case you want to know what a review is, here’s the dictionary definition:  

“A critical appraisal of a book, play, movie, exhibition, etc., published in a newspaper or magazine. (or blog, website, etc.)”

The key phrase is - a critical appraisal.  What’s critical about “Oh wow it’s cool!” or “You have to read this or buy this!”

A book (comic book) review talks about the book (comic book) hinting at its storyline, mentioning its creator(s), and the good and bad parts. A review does not have to be extensive.  It does have to include more than fluff.

So many of the reviews I’ve seen fail miserably at really telling about a particular publication or product.

For example: a statue reviewer takes a statue out of the box, assembles it, puts it on a turntable and decides if he likes it or not.

Where’s the commentary about the sculpt, the materials, the cost, the assembly or the creation of the product?

The same thing goes for comic book reviews-most talk about how much a book will be worth, briefly mentioning if there is a ‘special’ event or cover and completely ignoring the story.

Here’s a clue-if a reviewer can review over a dozen comic books in less than 15 minutes it is not a review.  It is a gallery walk through.

Enough with shallow reviews!  Add a little meat and bones-get into the guts of the publication or product.

If the commentary section consists mainly of individuals who only spout how cool or neat a product is and that they already have it or its on their ‘want list’ that’s not a complete audience.

A review brings new people in.  It makes them want to buy or not buy a product.

Enough fluff, it’s time for some real stuff.

Iron Man X Two

Two Marvel Comics Bronze Age comic books starring Iron Man are sure to be on everyone’s want list in the coming months as Bronze Age bucket head comic books continue to rise in price.

The Invincible Iron Man #47 represents the origin of Iron Man in a brand new story illustrated by penciller Barry Smith.

In it Tony Stark’s transformation into Iron Man is gone into with great detail, more so than his origin tale in Tales of Suspense #39.

It features a killer montage cover and the interior story intertwines Iron Man’s origin neatly into a continuing storyline taking place in the comic book.

In The Invincible Iron Man #69 Iron Man faces off against several Asian Marvel super villains-among them The Yellow Claw, The Mandarin, Sunfire with the Unicorn thrown in for good measure.

Ultimo makes his return appearance.  Did I mention Iron Man is injured and unconscious and is rocketing toward outer space?

Red River Reunion

From the author (John Layne) who brought you the thrilling Western novel ‘Gunslingers A Story Of The Old West’ comes Red River Reunion published by Labrador Publishing.

 I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, “Good old fashioned Western novels are few and far between.’

And that’s a shame.  Where else can you read tales of courageous individuals who gambled it all to begin a new life in a new frontier?

They faced hardship, thirst, hunger, danger on all sides and often lonely isolated lives where the law of the gun ruled supreme.

Even more impressive is that Westerns are based on real occurrences-things that could actually (and sometimes did) occur.  Westerns are great stories about common folk often placed in uncommon and often dangerous situations and yet somehow they survive.

Red River Reunion is set in the latter part of the 19th Century in the Old west.

It follows the continuing story of Marshall Luxton Danner and Texas Ranger Wes Payne as they seek to defend the weak, the meek and uphold Western law.

New characters are introduced along with new threats, new locations and dangerous situations.

What I really enjoy about the novel is the feeling of authenticity. It’s obvious from the start that author has done his research.

His prose perfectly describes The Old West.  I actually felt like I was walking the dusty streets of towns, camping out at night under the star filled sky and listening to the sound of cattle and the occasional coyote.

The characters feel like real people.  The book describes their struggles, their hardships and their determination to make a life for themselves in the new mostly unexplored territory.

It’s so nice to read a real Western novel.  Red River Reunion is a welcome respite for the modern world of fast and furious.

It harkens back to the day when people welcomed a day of good hard honest work and the line between good and evil was clearly drawn.

Red River Reunion is a book to be savored, read slowly and enjoyed.

I highly recommend the book and I’m anxious to see what other books the author has planed in the future.

Dark Legends, Who’s Who and Monorail

The Dark Side Of The Force--Like everything else in existence there are both good and bad sides.  So it is with The Force.

Every civilization knows of The Light and The Dark Sides.  They may have different names for them but good and evil are clearly distinguishable.

It’s best to stay within the Light.  The Dark Side holds unimaginable evil, terror, lies, death and destruction.

Writer George Mann and Disney Press explore the deep and hidden dark places that exist within the universe.  There are hidden places so dangerous, so forbidden and terrifying scant texts exist that even talk about them.

In Star Wars Dark Legends the author tells the tales of such places, things and beings.  But, be warned.  To read such passages requires courage, fortitude and above all The Light Side Of The Force to reveal such places and to protect the reader from the horrors that populate them.

Small, hardbound and illustrated the book is deceptively diminutive yet holds deep, dark and terrifying tales of The Dark Side.

For Disney fans the Revised & Updated Disney Who’s Who An A To Z Of Disney Characters is a must have to navigate the Disney Universe of animated Characters.  

Names, faces and full descriptions of each animated character from Disney and PIXAR films are included.

It’s a fun-filled, colorful and delightful collection of the characters that made Disney famous.

I’m old enough to remember when Disney first introduced it’s Monorail System.

It was amazing watching Disney guests zipping around Disneyland in Monorails when it first opened and was shown on TV back in the 1950s and hosted by Art Linkletter.

The Monorail was a modern day wonder and in some respects way ahead of its time.

Since its first introduction in Disneyland it has become a permanent fixture in all of Disney’s parks.

In The Disney Monorail Imagineering A Highway In The Sky authors Jeff Kurtii, Vanessa Hunt and Paul Wolski provide a whirlwind tour of the design, implementation and evolution of one if Disney’s most recognizable attractions-the Monorail.

Art and photos trace the Monorail from its genesis to it modern day manifestation.  

Included are examinations of cast uniforms, park and ride integration and much more.

Like the Monorail itself the book glides the reader through the magic that is Disney and traverses the decades in a delightful romp through time.

I especially enjoyed the archival photos, ride and attraction concepts and drawings and the ever-evolving look of the Monorails.

Hop on and let’s go for a ride!

Hitch & Tow 1962 Dodge D-100 and Shasta Airflyte

I miss trucks that had vent windows, AM radios, a simple cab with a small instrument panel, lots of horsepower and were easy and cheap to fix and maintain.

Trucks nowadays are so complicated with every sort of fancy doodad and computer controlled thingamajig they're more computer than truck.

I want a truck to be a truck-not a luxury vehicle.  A truck that hauls, gets dirty, banged up and looks like its been used and abused.  In simple terms- a work truck.

So many people buy Trucks with all sorts of extras and goodies and never use them for what they were intended.  I’ve seen Truck owners who never haul anything, get fancy paint jobs on their trucks, dress them all up with lights and chrome and get faint if one little smug of dirt gets on them.

Trucks are made to haul stuff: lumber, dirt, trailers, etc.

I want a trailer that has all the basics-nothing fancy.  A travel trailer shouldn’t be a home on wheels.  Why go camping if you take your home with you?  A trailer is someplace you sleep, cook and shelter from the weather-nothing more.

The whole point of camping is to see the outdoors, not to sequester you in a little room, play video games and waste hours on social media

It should be dry, comfortable and a place to stay in the wild instead of a hotel or motel.

It’s like towing a room on wheels, albeit a room with simple cooking capabilities, maybe some air conditioning or at least a fan, heat if necessary and reasonably comfortable place to sleep.

It needs to be sturdy enough to haul, easy to connect and disconnect from a truck or car and small enough so a standard truck or car can haul it and be easy to maneuver.

Greenlight Collectibles remembers those days and pays homage to when life (and traveling) were so much simpler.

Greenlight’s Hitch & Tow 1962 Dodge D-100 and Shasta Airflyte 1:64 Scale Diecast Limited Edition Series 4 Truck and Trailer recapture the past.

The color coordinated red and white Truck and Trailer are miniature reproductions and feature amazing paint application with lots of little details such as whitewall tires, chrome accents on both the Truck and Trailer and fine body details such as accent lines.

The Truck has real rubber tires, simple red wheels, a red dash with minimal instruments, a high-back bench seat, plastic windshield with side and vent windows, chrome door handles an enclosed bed with tire wells, a large front grill with twin headlights and turn signals and a single beam white rear bumper and silver hitch.

The Trailer has a full black hitch assembly with a working trailer jack, hood air conditioner, a chrome trimmed front window in four panels, two windows on each side, various vents and storage compartments, side and read lights and signals, a propane tank, accent twin chrome rear wings, a single rear window, a mid-section door, a license plate and all the details of a vintage trailer.

What a wonderful nostalgic diecast!  It brings back so many pleasant memories when life was slower, less complicated and when families actually spent time together, talked, played games and there was nary a cellphone, tablet or TV in sight.

Funny Creek #1

OK, I’m hooked.

I mean, come on, how could I not love the story of a young girl, running away from her mother, who is knocked unconscious and wakes up in her favorite cartoon?

Funny Creek #1 follows the adventures of Lilly as she suddenly finds herself in the colorful, cartoon world of the Western adventures of Clumsy the Clown the Sheriff of Funny Creek.

After Lilly escapes from some bad hombres and saves the local saloon girl Betsy she finds herself on the way to Funny Creek.

Once there she meets the sheriff and after trying to explain to everyone that she knows all about them and is a big fan of the ‘show’ Clumsy tells her she needs to get out of town for her own safety until...

She tells him she saved Betsy and even outsmarted the local bad guy Cold Joe.

After hearing about her encounter with Cold Joe Clumsy offers her the job as deputy-and so the adventure begins.

What a fun book!  I absolutely love the art work-especially the coloring and character designs.

Everything about the series shouts fun.  It’s a great mini-series for not only the most discerning comic book fans but kids as well.

Written by Rafael Scavone, drawn by Eduardo Medeiros with colors by Priscila Tramontano, Funny Creek is an absolute delight published by ComiXology Originals and Stout Club.

Batman #367 and Detective Comics #566

To quote from the Poison Ivy song by The Coasters:

She comes on like a rose but everybody knows
She'll get you in Dutch
You can look but you better not touch
Poison ivy, poison ivy
Late at night while you're sleepin'
Poison ivy comes a-creepin' around
She's pretty as a daisy but look out man she's crazy
She'll really do you in
If you let her under your skin

In DC Comics' Batman #367, from January 1984, comic book readers get reintroduced to one of Batman’s most unusual adversaries: Poison Ivy.

In this issue a much more deadly Poison Ivy is seen.  One who has no regard for human life and is a lethal as any of Batman’s most nefarious Rogue’s Gallery members.

Before this Poison Ivy was much more of a comical character. Oh, she had her bad girl moments but how serious can you take someone who dressed up like a plant and uses them as a device for her crimes?

She’s no Silver Age Ivy.  The new and improved Ivy has just become a thorn in Batman’s side and as the years progress a much more deadly foe.

This issue has everything: Jason Todd as Robin, Alfred, humanoid plants with semi-intelligence, plant-based drug addition and a ruthless Poison Ivy that is not above shooting at Robin with poison darts and she’s an arsonist too!

This issue is one of several where many of Batman’s enemies start taking on more sinister aspects.  It is no coincidence that the further transformation of Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery would manifest itself when in the not too distant future DC Comics would shake things up in The Crisis On Infinite Earth.  

This comic is a good precursor of what to expect.
A near mint raw copy goes for around $10 and a slabbed copy for close to $60.  Look for the price to escalate, as Poison Ivy becomes more popular as the current Batman series features her more and her place in The Green becomes more prominent.

Comic book readers get a real treat in Detective Comics #566.  Readers are invited to accompany Batman and Robin as they look back over Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery and get a first-hand look at each and every crazy homicidal maniac that populates it.

Every major Batman foe is spotlighted in full-page exposes including full bios and modus operandi.

The story is cleverly set up when Batman and Robin receive an ominous message from one of the members of the Rogue’s Gallery.

This gives Batman and Robin the reason to file through the information on each villain. A backup Green Arrow story is also included.

Prices on a near mint copy of the book vary.  Expect to pay around $20 for a raw copy and $110 for a slabbed issue.

Blue Bloods The Tenth Season

It’s hard to believe that actor Tom Selleck has been playing New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan on CBS’s Blue Blood hour-long detective/crime TV series for 11 years.  That’s three years longer than his other famous TV character Magnum P.I.

CBS/Paramount present the Blue Bloods The Tenth Season DVD Combo that collects the entire season episodes set in the stormy, sometimes violent, City Of New York.

What makes the TV show so special is that it stars and assemble cast consisting mostly of the Reagan family members.

The family has a long history in law enforcement and they are tight knit, protective of one another and fiercely loyal.

That’s not to say there are not squabbles and disagreements.  Still the family manages to stick together despite the ups and downs of personal and professional triumphs and tragedies.

The family consists of a variety of law enforcement agencies including beat cops, detectives, prosecutors and others.

The series has a heart and is not afraid to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing families and individuals in the 21st century.

Included with the entire episodes compilation is an additional 60 minutes of special features including deleted scenes, a 200th episode celebration and  dinner with the Reagans.

Watchmen Rorschach

Back in the mid-1980s writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons shocked the comic book world with their phenomenal and groundbreaking Watchmen maxi-series.

The series set the superhero genre on its collective ear and ushered in the Dark Age of comic books.

Nearly 20 years after it was first published, a Watchmen movie, directed by Zack Snyder, premiered and for the most part successfully translated the comic book series to the Silver Screen.

DC Direct created a series of collectible 6-inch action figures based on the characters seen in the film.

Fans agree that Rorschach, the shifting mask vigilante, was the best of the characters in the comic book series, movie and as an action figure.

The figure was so popular that DC Direct created two figures: one with a mask and one without.

I enjoyed the Watchmen series and the movie.  The director and writer did a nice job of translating the comic book series to film, which was not an easy task.

The actor who plays Rorschach fits the role perfectly right down to the red hair and freckles.  He is as ruthless as his comic book namesake is.  Watchmen is definitely not a comic book for kids.

Each figure comes in a square side display box with clear front panel.  The box can sit on a shelf or hang for display.

The figures are snug in their plastic form-fitting plastic cocoons and are held in place by a wire support.

Behind the figures is a facsimile of a brick wall sprayed with graffiti as seen in the comic book series and movie.

A stark yellow and black Watchmen type logo and character profiles extend across the top of the display boxes.

The fully costumed Rorschach figure stands with its head slightly tilted to the left.  His characteristic shape-shifting mask is on his face and he wears his brown leather fedora with darker brown headband.

The figure is dressed in a brown trench coat closed at the collar.  A light brown scarf hides the figure’s neck.  A belt with gold buckle hangs loosely from the figure’s hips. 

Below the cuffed trench coat sleeves Rorschach wears brown leather gloves.

Purple pants with lighter pinstripes and dark brown shoes make up the final pieces of the ensemble.

Included with the figure is a faux steel platform that the figure attaches to to stand. An additional right hand and Rorschach’s signature multi-purpose handgun also come with the figure.

The figure is partially articulated, stands on its own or with its base, features realistic clothing with folds and wrinkles and cool little extras like visible buttons on the trench coat and coat collar folds that wrap around the figure just like a real coat’s.

The figure without the mask is identical to the masked figure.

The facial sculpt looks just like the movie version of Rorschach with short cropped red hair, red eyebrows, clear blue eyes, a sharp nose, small lips and a narrow chin.

Each figure is excellently crafted with great color application and easily possibility.

What If? #1

Don’t you just love pleasant surprises?  I sure do.

I had one just the other day.  For months I’ve been trying to find a certain Bronze Age Marvel Comics issue that I knew I had.

I searched and searched to no avail.

While I was sorting through my comic books the other day I came across a The Champions #17.  Lo and behold on the back of the comic book, double boarded was my issue of What If? #1 where Spider-Man joined The Fantastic Four.  I found the issue I was looking for!

For those of you unfamiliar with Marvel’s What If? it is based on the premise of Marvel stories that ‘might have’ happened.  It’s sort of like Marvel’s version of DC Comics’ Imaginary Tales or Elseworld series.

Way back when Steve Ditko and Stan Lee created the story for Amazing Spider-Man #1, Spidey decided he wanted to join The Fantastic Four.

When he found out here was no pay involved he went his own way.

In What If? #1 Sue Storm (The Invisible Girl) convinces Spider-Man to join The Fantastic Four and Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) loosens up the purse strings so everyone get some spending cash.

And so, Spidey joins the F.F. and proceeds to go on all the classic adventures F.F. have taken part in over the years including an aquatic showdown with the Submariner.

It’s a great story and a heartfelt homage to the classic F.F. tales with Spidey thrown in for good measure.

Did I mention the Watcher shows up?

Near mint raw copies go for about $20 with slabbed copies fetching close to $100.

Deathstroke Knights & Dragons

One of the coolest characters in the DC Universe is Slade Williams-aka Deathstroke.

Once a special ops soldier Slade took part in a special government program endowing him with incredible intellectual and physical skills.

After serving his country Slade became a mercenary for hire.

When his son decided to take on a contract to destroy The New Teen Titans for The Hive and was killed in the process, Slade decided to take up his son’s contract.

He became one of The New Teen Titans most fearsome foes-Deathstroke.

George Perez and Marv Wolfman created Deathstroke (originally dubbed The Terminator).

Artist/writer Rob Liefeld created a tribute/parody of Deathstroke for Marvel Comics.  Perhaps you’ve heard of him: Deadpool, The Merc With A Mouth.

Ironically George Perez also created the costume for one of The Avengers greatest foes: Taskmaster before he created Deathstroke.  It’s easy to see the similarities between Deathstroke and Taskmaster.

DC Comics/Warner Bros. present the DC Animated Movie: Deathstroke Knights & Dragons on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Code Combo Pack.

Besides the full-length animated film the Combo Pack also includes an exclusive feature about Deathstroke.

I’ve always thought of Deathstroke as more than just a villain.  He is a man caught in a moral dilemma.

While he does kill people, in his own mind he is doing the right thing because he decides that certain bad people need to die.

In his own way he is an honorable man, dependable and never one to back down from a pledge.

In the movie viewers learn what made Slade Deathstroke.  They learn of his faults, inner conflicts and his unwavering adherence to performing his sworn duty-no matter the cause or cost.

When Slade's family is threatened-his wife beaten by a vengeful mercenary named Jackal and his son kidnapped, Slade dons his Deathstroke togs and vows to save him.

Unfortunately he comes face to face with the Jackal, Lady Shiva, the Bronze Tiger and the forces of H.I.V.E..

The resulting tussle results in his son’s (Joseph) throat being slit.  Slade did manage to get him medical help in time-but the wound leaves the boy unable to speak.

As the story progresses Deathstroke comes face-to-face with the H.I.V.E. Queen and ultimately learns he has a daughter with his abilities, a son who doesn't wish to be saved form H.I.V.E. and a wife who reluctantly teams up with him to save their son once again.

However things don’t always turn out as planned.

Deathstroke Knights & Dragons is revealing movie in that it gives a clear and concise picture of the man called Deathstroke.  Much of his past life is revealed as well as his family, loyalties and dogged determination to make things right.

It’s a great animated film, extremely well written, performed and animated.

For a true picture of Deathstroke, the man, the mercenary and the father and husband be sure to pick up a copy of this Combo Pack.

Rise Of The Duelist

So, you thought you had him beat.  Just when you were getting comfortable with your win and unexpected situation occurs.

Your foe is defeated-or so you supposed.  But, as the old saying goes, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”  And there’s a very big chicken just about to break out and rule the roost.

Are you ready?  Do you have what it takes?  Because Gaia rides again.  The Duelist is back.

Like the legendary fiery phoenix you are about to witness the Rise Of The Duelist courtesy of Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.

With nine Cards per Booster Foil Pack and 24 Packs per Box the Duelist comes ready, willing and more than able to challenge and defeat all those opposed to him in the past.

Just look what your can expect:

Cards used by Yuya Sakaki and Declan Akaba.
Includes new members/support for a number of classic characters.
Includes members/support that are new, as well as the signature move series.
New archetypes.
Support for the "Potan" and "Roland" archetypes.
New Cards previously in the OCG Packs

The Set contains 101 cards:

5 Starlight Rares
10 Secret Rares
14 Ultra Rares
26 Super Rares
50 Commons

Mandarin Spawn Times Two

For most of the 1990s and early 2000s McFarlane Toys ruled the roost when it came to high quality collectible action figures.

It seemed McFarlane Toys could do no wrong.  Spawn, movies, sports, military and other genres of figures seemingly were churned out almost on a weekly basis from McFarlane.

Of course like any other fast growing phenomenon things tend to slow down and when McFarlane had a reshuffling of its creative staff, rising costs and other manufacturing concerns the fervor over its toys died down.

McFarlane Toys still turns out fantastic figures but at a higher price and less frequently.

Two of my all-time favorite McFarlane Toys consist of actually the same character.

McFarlane Toys Mandarin Spawn is by far the most elaborate, ornate and technically sophisticated figures I believe McFarlane Toys ever produced.

Before I get started let me state that adequately reviewing these incredible figures is daunting.  The sheer scope of how each sculpt with accessories, color application and articulation boggles the mind.

By far these are some of the most detailed action figures I’ve ever reviewed.

How McFarlane Toys was able to not only design, sculpt, paint and package and sell them for around $8 to $10 back in 2005 is almost incomprehensible.

To create such detailed figures in today’s toy industry would be much more expensive and I doubt the figures could sell for retail less than $30 each-possibly more.

When I first saw the Mandarin Spawn: The Scarlet Edge The Dark Ages action figure my mind was blown.  It far outshone the other figures in The Dark Ages selection in my mind.

The articulated figure looks more like a sculpted statue than action figure-it’s that good!

I big kudos out to the artists responsible for the figure.  Seldom have I seen such a detailed toy.  It rivals many of miniature statues I’ve seen in museums.  Amazing!

Starting with the figure’s head-the sculpted face-mask is accented in gold and red with a single white miniature face in the middle of its forehead. 

Large protruding bicuspids and heavily accented cheeks, chin, nose and forehead are covered in gold. 

The face is striated in gold and red layers and sweeps back into several spikes culminating in a large center spike.

The head rests on a swirling golden lasso of red and gold melding into a large fanged face with green eyes, flared nostrils and gaping mouth that decorate the figure’s chest.

One swirling red and gold shoulder pad frames a white face while the other looks like a windswept piece of fabric wrapped around another white face.

The waist is decorated with a large gold and red ornate belt that extends almost to the figure’s knees accented by a jeweled encrusted pattern.

A single piece of red fabric decorated with yellow flames and black thistles partially covers the striated red and gold upper legs, twin knee armor fashioned as a face with gold, red and green jewels flows back behind the knees forming black horned spikes.

The lower legs are covered by similar designed pieces of flared armor with large white faces just about the feet themselves.

The feet are large three-toe monstrosities with huge black nails ringed by gold and red.

The Mandarin Spawn figure’s arms are covered by red and gold armor on the upper arms, large gauntlets of gold, red and white faces and the hands are black with tendons of gold ending in sharp points.

Included with the figure is a large shield of red, black and gold filigree with a large white face at the top and decorated by numerous round green jewels.

Twin green, red and silver staffs are tipped in gold, a large brown and black horn attaches to the right shoulder of the figure and a large silver sword with a green handle comes with an additional blade that when attached to the green handle produces a 12inch weapon.

The figure comes in a bubble pack for hanging or standing and is cradled in a form-fitting cocoon for safe keeping and protection.

The details are amazing from the gold trimming, jewels, attention to accuracy, paint application, sculpt and accessories.

It’s hard to describe because it does not do the figure justice.

Even more impressive is the Mandarin Spawn Regenerated.  It’s chock full of even more details and is much more massive.

Where to begin?  Let’s start with its head.

Similar to the regular Mandarin Spawn figure the Regenerated figure has the same colors but a few less spikes and a smaller large spike.  However the detail is much finer, especially around the mouth and eyes.

A bowl shaped collar encircles the head.  It is trimmed in gold and consists of around three separate layers.

The chest decoration is also more decorated with a heavier accent on the stylized head with wraparound horns on either side.

The waist has a similarly design (in addition to a gold skull) connecting to three strips of red cloth: one on the front and one on each side.

Underneath the cloth is heavy leather brown inner armor.

Each cloth strip has archaic designs in black and white.

The legs of the figure are armored with dragon heads, gold and red with black accents and multiple white horns and green jewels.

The back of the leg armor is primarily red with gold piping.

The shoulders are upper dragon heads with fangs and tusks.  On the right shoulder is a large white and black horn.

The arms are primarily black with gold and red gauntlets culminating into heavy gold armor with spiked fingers and teeth.

The figure comes with a large red staff with gold pommel with a red banner and oversize multi-edge blades that is engraved with a black dragon.

The figure’s hands are gray and its three toe feet are black with gold decorations.

Articulation and color application are well defined for each individual area and the details are mesmerizing in their scope and ingenuity.

Both Mandarin Spawn figures are some of the most prized McFarlane Toys Spawn figures and for good reason-they are amazing!

The figures sell for around $50 each.

Marvel Comics Two-in-One #75

What do you get when you get Annihilus, Blastaar, The Thing, The Super-Adaptoid, The Fantastic Four, The Avengers and the Negative Zone all rolled into one?  Why Marvel Comics Two-in-One #75 of course!

This issue is a Special Double-Sized release and all for the staggering cost of 75 cents!

Annihilus and Blastaar team-up, along with the Super-Adaptoid, plan on wiping out all life in The Negative Zone.  Only the long lost love of Blastaar frantic plea to The Avengers and The Fantastic Four has any hope of stopping their mad plan.

The Thing and The Avengers enter the Negative Zone to fight them and so the cosmic struggle begins!

This issue exemplifies why I love Silver and Bronze Age Marvel Comics.  You really got your money’s worth.  Every title was crammed as much action, pathos and emotion as it could into each page.

Packed with art and practically oozing prose this issue deserves to be a milestone.  Great art, great story and a whole lot of fun to read.  Currently this issue in near mint condition goes for about  $5 raw and $75 slabbed.

Billy The Kid.

Perhaps no other Wild West historical figure has been more examined, legends created about and misinformation compiled than that of Billy The Kid.

Sideshow Collectibles/Toys, as part of its Six Gun Legends 12-inch figure collection produced, a Billy The Kid figure in 2001.

Like the Military, Historical and Classic TV and Movie series, the Wild West figures were produced for a short time.

As with the other early Sideshow figures, collectors are starting to take notice and as a result the prices of the figures are rising-quickly!

The Six Gun Legends packaging is some of the best Sideshow has ever done.

A full color close-up photo of man’s hand pulling out a six-shooter from a holster backed up by an old photo of Billy The Kid really spotlights what collectors can expect.

Heavily shadowed shots of a lawman and outlaw decorate both sides and on the top of the box.

The flip open lid reveals the figure and accessories inside snug in their form fitting clear plastic cocoon.  Additional plastic straps securely hold the figure in place.

Over the entire figure and accessories cocoon is a clear plastic sheet for easy viewing.

Behind the figure as background is a facsimile of the wanted poster for Billy.

On the inside of the flap is a brief history of Billy The Kid (William H. Bonney) including two photos, logo and four Western figures in shadow.

Sideshow artists did their homework as the figure looks remarkably like Billy, including his attire and weapons.

Let’s start with the accessories first.

Included with the figure is a small replica of a period piece Wanted poster with the large word NOTICE! as its headline and a list of crime and criminals listed below.  The poster appears yellowed and tattered.

Billy’s pearl handle six-shooter is included that fits snuggly into the figure’s holster.

A mid-size knife with antler handle and a level action rifle with a wooden stock and grip and a spare right hand for holding weapons and Billy’s brown well-worn hat make up the balance of the accessories.  The hat fits the figure’s head perfectly.

The figure is a (pardon the pun) dead ringer for he real Billy The Kid.

The figure’s brown hair is molded plastic but it lies naturally on the figure’s head, over its ears and forehead.  It looks unkempt and flat as if sweaty from being covered by his hat.

The face has large eyebrows, deep set slightly slanted eyes, a sharp nose, high cheekbones, a small mouth with a slight overbite and a weak chin.  Billy’s ears stick out from his head.

The fully articulated figure looks slightly stout due its loose-fitting pants with button closure and light brown belt with holster and silver buckle and bullet loops. 

Billy wears a light brown bandana set in a loose knot around his neck.  A colorful red, yellow and green shirt is worn under Billy’s heavy wool light green knit sweater with light gold button stitching running down its front.

Between the shirt and sweater a light green vest with large buttons can be seen-also stitched.

The loose fitting pants are tucked in high top, well worn, brown cowboy boots with thick heels.

The figure can pose and bend easily under the loose-fitting clothing without a stand.

Weapons are easily held by the figure in both hands especially when the extra trigger-ready right hand is attached.

It’s quite an impressive figure assembly. Sideshow has done an excellent job of capturing the likeness of Billy and his wardrobe and weapons, considering very few images of Billy exist for reference.

The clothing features scaled down stitching, buttons and fasteners and lays and folds like real life size clothing.

The accuracy is especially noticeable with the folds in the sweater and pants that hang loose of the figure just like Billy’s real wardrobe.

The Series One set also includes Wyatt Earp.

Justice League Adventures #1

Straight from the Warner Bros. Justice League/Unlimited TV series DC Comics released a comic book adaptation of the popular series called Justice League Adventures.

The art in the issues emulated the style from the animated series and the scripts were every bit as sophisticated as those that were in the series.

Ty Templeton provided the story and Min S. Ku the artwork for issue #1.  Ku captured the look and feel of the animated series whiles still maintaining the page by page flow of a comic book.

Artist Alec Ross provided the striking cover that emulated the opening computer animation introduction to the series as seen on the Cartoon Network.

Join Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and the Flash as they dealt with a gravity bomb and deceptive alien.

It’s all out action in the very first issue that brings the team together and begins a series of adventures until the title ends with issue #34.

Near mint copies of issue #1 in raw condition can be purchased for about  $10 with slabbed copies going for $50.